Ministry

of Education

Resource Guide

The Ontario Curriculum

Grades 1 to 12

Native Languages
A Support Document for the
Teaching of Language Patterns
Ojibwe and Cree

2002

CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 Parts of Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1 Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2 Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3 Nominal Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.4 Personal Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.5 Demonstrative Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.6 Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.7 Particles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.8 Quantifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.9 Adverbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.10 Conjunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.11 Other Particles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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2 Inside Words: Inflection and Derivation . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1 Word Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2 Inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3 Derivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13
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15

3 Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1 The Form of a Noun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2 Inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3 Basic Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.4 Gender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.5 Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.6 Obviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.7 Locative Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.8 Inflection for Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.9 Possessed Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.10 Dependent Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.11 Other Inflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.12 Diminutive Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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This publication is available on the Ministry of Educations website at

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca.

3.13 Pejorative Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.14 Preterit Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.15 Vocative Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.16 Summary of Noun Inflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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27
27

4 Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.1 Nominal Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2 Interrogative Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.3 Indefinite Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4 Alternative Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.5 Intensive Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.6 Dubitative Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.7 Pausal Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.8 Other Nominal Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.9 Personal Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.10 Demonstrative Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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5 Noun Phrases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1 Grammatical Components of Noun Phrases . . . . . . . . .
5.2 Noun in Noun Phrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3 Nominal Pronoun in Noun Phrase . . . . . . . . . . .
5.4 Demonstrative Pronoun With Noun in
Noun Phrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.5 Quantifier or Other Particle in Noun Phrase . . . .
5.6 Personal Pronoun in Noun Phrase . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.7 Noun Phrase As Possessor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.8 Relative Clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.9 Conjoined Noun Phrases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.10 Noun Phrases With Conjunctions . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.11 Noun Phrases in Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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6 Verbless Sentences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.1 Equational Sentences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2 Equational Sentence With Demonstrative
Pronoun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.3 Negative Equational Sentence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.4 Equational Yes/No Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.5 Equational Content Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.6 Equational Sentence With Dubitative Pronoun . . .
6.7 Verbless Sentences With Adverbs or Other Particles . . . .
6.8 Adverb or Other Particle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.9 Adverb or Other Particle With Question Particle .
6.10 Adverb or Other Particle With Noun Phrase . . . .
6.11 Interrogative Adverb With Noun Phrase . . . . . . . .
6.12 Dubitative Adverb With Noun Phrase . . . . . . . . .

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CONTENTS

6.13 Verbless Sentences With Focus Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.14 Focus Word With Noun Phrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.15 Focus Word With Noun Phrase and
Question Particle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.16 Focus Word With Adverb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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40

7 Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.1 The Form of a Verb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2 Subject and Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3 Double-Object Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.4 Verb Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.5 Animate Intransitive Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.6 Inanimate Intransitive Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.7 Transitive Inanimate Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.8 Transitive Animate Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.9 Intermediate Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.10 Relational Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.11 Verb Orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.12 The Imperative Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.13 Uses of the Imperative Verb . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.14 Inflection of the Imperative Verb for Subject
and Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.15 Animate intransitive imperative
inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.16 Transitive inanimate imperative
inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.17 Transitive animate imperative
inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.18 Inflection of the Imperative Verb for Mode . .
7.19 The immediate imperative mode . . . . .
7.20 The delayed (or future) imperative
mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.21 The prohibitive imperative mode . . . .
7.22 The Independent Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.23 Uses of the Independent Verb . . . . . . . . . . .
7.24 Independent verb in statement . . . . . .
7.25 Independent verb in yes/no question . .
7.26 Inflection of the Independent Verb
for Subject and Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.27 Animate intransitive independent
inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.28 Inanimate intransitive independent
inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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CONTENTS

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7.29 Transitive inanimate independent

inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.30 Transitive animate independent
inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.31 The direct marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.32 The inverse marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.33 The me-object marker . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.34 The you-object marker . . . . . . . . . . .
7.35 Inverse and direct markers with
indefinite subject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.36 Inverse marker with inanimate
subject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.37 Inflection of the Independent Verb
for Tense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.38 Inflection of the Independent Verb
for Negation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.39 Inflection of the Independent Verb
for Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.40 The preterit mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.41 The dubitative mode . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.42 The preterit-dubitative mode . . . . . . .
7.43 The Conjunct Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.44 Uses of the Conjunct Verb . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.45 Content questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.46 Questions with interrogative
pronoun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.47 Questions with interrogative
adverb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.48 Questions with interrogative word
asking for a reason . . . . . . . . . . .
7.49 Dubitative statements . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.50 Dubitative statements with
dubitative pronoun . . . . . . . . . .
7.51 Dubitative statements with
dubitative adverb . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.52 Clauses with predicator . . . . . . . . . . .
7.53 Clauses with focus word . . . . . .
7.54 Clauses with other predicators . .
7.55 Complement clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.56 Adverbial subordinate clauses . . . . . . .
7.57 Adverbial clauses of time . . . . . .
7.58 Adverbial clauses of place . . . . . .
7.59 Conditional clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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CONTENTS

7.60 Clauses of purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7.61 Relative clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflection of the Conjunct Verb for Subject
and Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.63 Animate intransitive conjunct
inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.64 Inanimate intransitive conjunct
inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.65 Transitive inanimate conjunct
inflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.66 Transitive animate conjunct inflection .
7.67 The direct marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.68 The inverse marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.69 The me-object marker . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.70 The you-object marker . . . . . . . . . . .
7.71 Inverse and direct markers with
indefinite subject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.72 Inverse marker with inanimate subject .
Inflection of the Conjunct Verb for Tense . . .
Inflection of the Conjunct Verb for
Negation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflection of the Conjunct Verb for Mode . .
7.76 The preterit mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.77 The dubitative mode . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.78 The preterit-dubitative mode . . . . . . .
Inflection of the Subjunctive Conjunct Verb .
Process of Initial Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subordinating Prefixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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8 Stem Formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.2 Verb Stems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.3 Primary Verb Stems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.4 Primary Verb Stems With Two Elements . . . .
8.5 Identifying stem-building elements . . .
8.6 The meanings of roots and finals . . . . .
8.7 Primary Verb Stems With Three Elements . . .
8.8 Medials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.9 Classificatory medials . . . . . . . . .
8.10 Body-part medials . . . . . . . . . . .
8.11 Other types of medials . . . . . . . .
8.12 Denominal medials . . . . . . . . . .
8.13 Primary Verb Stems With One Element . . . .

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7.62

7.73
7.74
7.75

7.79
7.80
7.81

CONTENTS

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8.14 Secondary Verb Stems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8.15 Secondary Verb Stems With Final Suffixes
That Change Verb Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.16 Reciprocal verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.17 Reflexive verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.18 Transitivized verb stems . . . . . . . . . . .
8.19 Detransitivized verb stems . . . . . . . . .
8.20 Verbs of undergoing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.21 Inanimate augment verbs . . . . . . . . . .
8.22 Secondary Verb Stems With Final Suffixes
That Extend Meaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.23 Verbs of addiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.24 Verbs of pretending . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.25 Secondary Verb Stems With Final Suffixes
That Change Nouns Into Verbs . . . . . . . . . .
8.26 Verbs of being . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.27 Verbs of diminutive action . . . . . . . . .
8.28 Verbs of abundance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.29 Verbs of making or processing . . . . . . .
8.30 Verbs of possession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.31 Compound Verb Stems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.32 Stem Compounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.33 Preverb Compounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.34 Directional preverbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.35 Relative preverbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.36 General preverbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.37 Relationship of preverbs and roots . . .
8.38 Reduplicated Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.39 Noun Stems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.40 Primary Noun Stems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.41 Secondary Noun Stems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.42 Compound Noun Stems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.43 Stem Compounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.44 Prenoun Compounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Appendix: Verb Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

93

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81
82
82
82
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83
84
84

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

This resource guide is intended for teachers of Ontario Ojibwe and Cree.
Its purpose is to organize, extend, and reinforce teachers knowledge
of the language patterns that occur in these Native languages, and to
clarify and explain the structure and function of the various language
elements (words and word parts) that make up these patterns. It is
hoped that teachers will find the guide helpful in developing lessons
and in evaluating teaching materials for their usefulness in fostering
accuracy in the use of language and an understanding of the language
patterns that characterize this group of Native languages. The resource
guide is not suitable for use as a textbook by students of Ojibwe or
Cree; it does not present the various language structures in a learning
sequence, and the technical terms used to describe the language are not
always appropriate for classroom use.
It should be noted that this resource guide does not represent an
exhaustive study of the language patterns in Ojibwe and Cree. A complete language-pattern guide would go into far more detail and have
many more examples than are given here. Only the main word and
sentence patterns are included. Ojibwe and Cree are rich and complex
languages, and the task of describing how the words and word parts fit
together is only in the early stages. Teachers will no doubt recognize
and use many of the language patterns discussed here, but they will
themselves need to continue to explore language patterns as they
develop their lessons and plan their teaching.
This resource guide presents classes of words and examines the
units or parts of which words are composed, the ways in which words
change their forms when used in sentences, and the ways in which
words combine with other words to form language structures that convey meaning. It also explores the patterns in which these language

structures occur in phrases and sentences. Examples are given in three

Ontario languages, in the following sequence unless otherwise noted:
CO Central Ojibwe-Odawa (Ottawa), the language called
Nishnaabemwin, as spoken on Manitoulin Island
WO Western Ojibwe, the language called Anishinaabemowin, as spoken
at Lac Seul
SC Swampy Cree, the language called Ininmowin, as spoken at
Fort Albany and Constance Lake

The many other varieties of Ojibwe and Cree spoken in Ontario are
equally important, but it is not possible to give examples in all varieties.
Speakers of these other varieties will usually find the principle discussed
relevant to their own way of speaking, although the words and the
arrangement of the words may be different. They should examine the
examples given and determine whether the pattern discussed occurs in
the same form in their own language. It should be pointed out that the
examples do not represent the only correct way of speaking; teachers
should teach the words, word patterns, and sentence patterns that they
and other model speakers in their community use.
The roman writing systems (orthographies) used in this resource
guide are the standardized systems used in teacher-training courses in
Ontario. A syllabic orthography has been added for the Cree examples.
It should be noted that the orthographies employed here are not the
only ones that can be used for these languages.

INTRODUCTION

1
PARTS

OF

SPEECH

The parts of speech (classes of words) are nouns, pronouns, verbs, and
particles, which include quantifiers, adverbs, and conjunctions. These
parts of speech can be divided into several subclasses.
1.1

Nouns
Nouns name things, beings, and abstractions.
CO wiigwaam
WO waakaaigan
SC wskhikan

house

CO nimosh
WO animosh
SC atim

dog

CO zaagiwewin
WO zaagiiwewin
SC skihiwewin

love

Nouns are inflected; that is, they take on affixes prefixes and/or
suffixes that give grammatical information about them. For example,
affixes can indicate whether a noun is animate or inanimate (gender),
whether it is plural (number), and how it is related to other parts of a
phrase or sentence (e.g., obviative or locative form).

1.2

Pronouns

1.3

Nominal Pronouns
Nominal pronouns refer to nouns or stand in place of nouns.
CO wenesh
WO awenen
SC awenihkn

who

Nominal pronouns can be inflected in Cree and in some varieties of

Ojibwe.
1.4

Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns stand in place of persons or nouns and indicate the
various roles taken in speech. The three grammatical persons represented by personal pronouns the first person (I ), the second person
(you), and the third person (he/she/it ) indicate the relationship in
which the person referred to stands with respect to the speaker. The
first person is the person speaking, the second person is the person
spoken to, and the third person is the person spoken of.
CO nii
WO niin
SC nna

1.5

I, the one speaking

Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns can be used with nouns or can stand in place
of nouns and are used to point out or designate specific persons or
things.
CO wi
WO iwe
SC anima

that (thing)

Demonstrative pronouns change form to agree with the nouns to

which they refer.

10

PARTS

OF

SPEECH

1.6

Verbs
Verbs refer to states of being (condition, quantity, etc.) or to actions.
CO mchaa
WO michaa
SC misw

it is big

CO ndaabjitoon
WO nindaabajitoon
SC nitpacihtn

I use it

Verbs, like nouns, are inflected, taking on affixes that convey grammatical information. For example, the affixes on a verb can indicate number, tense (the time of the action), and the relationship of the verb to
other parts of a phrase or sentence.
1.7

Particles
Particles are uninflected words and can be divided into several
subclasses.

Quantifiers

1.8

Quantifiers describe number or quantity.

CO aanind
WO aaninda
SC tiht

some, a few

CO niizh
WO niizhin
SC nso

two

Adverbs

1.9

Adverbs specify such things as time, place, manner, or degree.

CO ggizheb
WO gizheb
SC kekisep

PARTS

OF

SPEECH

in the morning

11

1.10

CO gojiing
WO agwajiing
SC wanawtimihk

outside

CO aapji
WO aapiji
SC mitoni

very, really

Conjunctions
Conjunctions are connective words used to join together sentences,
clauses, phrases, or words.
CO giishpin
WO giishpin
SC kisspin

1.11

if

Other Particles
Some particles always occur in a certain position. For example, the
question particle is used with questions that are typically answered with
yes or no and appears after the first word in a sentence.
CO na
WO na
SC n

12

PARTS

OF

SPEECH

2
INSIDE WORDS: INFLECTION
AND DERIVATION

2.1

Word Parts
Many Cree and Ojibwe words are complex in construction, consisting
of several parts, each of which has a meaning or function. In nouns and
verbs, the core part of a word the part that carries the basic meaning
of the word is called a word stem. To this stem may be added inflectional affixes, known as inflections, which give additional grammatical
information about the word. (Such grammatical information can
include, where applicable, gender, person, number, and the relationship
in which the inflected word stands to other words or phrases in the
sentence.) Affixes that are added to the front of the stem are known as
prefixes; those that are added after the stem are known as suffixes. The
suffixes merge together to form an ending. The overall pattern of an
inflected noun or verb is shown in the following word diagram:
inflectional + WORD + inflectional suffixes
prefixes
STEM
(word ending)

In the following example, the stem is preceded by a prefix and followed

by two suffixes:
CO gjiimaanwaan
= g + jiimaan + waa + n
WO gijiimaaniwaan
=gi + jiimaan + iwaa + n
SC kicmniwwa
= ki + cmn + iww + a

you + boat + more than one of

you + more than one thing
= your boats

13

In this case, the word stem can also occur as an independent word the
singular form of boat:
CO jiimaan
WO jiimaan
SC cmn

boat

A word stem does not always constitute an independent word. The following example is made up of a prefix, a stem, and an ending, but the
stem does not constitute a word that can stand alone:
CO nwaabndaan
= n + waabnd + aan
WO niwaabandaan
= ni + waaband + aan
SC niwpahten
= ni + wpaht + en

I see it

2.2

Inflection
Many affixes are inflections, or word parts that indicate the grammatical
categories of the language. These categories are the organizing ideas of
the language. The inflections that express them transmit information
(who is involved? how many? when?) and tie words together in phrases,
clauses, or sentences. In Cree and Ojibwe, grammatical categories such
as gender, number, person, and obviation and the inflectional affixes
that represent them are essential aspects of nearly every sentence.
Much of what is indicated in English by the position of words in a
sentence is shown in Cree and Ojibwe by inflection that is, by the
change in the form of a word through the addition of affixes.
The following examples are different forms of the same word; they
share the same word stem but have different inflections.

14

CO nokii/nakii
ndankii
nokiikan/nakiikan
ji-nokiiwaad/ji-nakiiwaad

he/she works
I work
do some work later
. . . so they will work

WO anokii
nindanokii
anokiikan
ji-anokiiwaad

he/she works
I work
do some work later
. . . so they will work

INSIDE WORDS: INFLECTION

AND

DERIVATION

SC atoskew

2.3

he/she works

nitatoskn

I work

atoskehkan

do some work later

kici-atoskecik

. . . so they will work

Derivation
Word stems may also be made up of parts that have meaning. If one
examines a group of words related in meaning, one finds that certain
parts appear again and again, retaining the same basic meaning. For
example, many words that refer to bursting or exploding begin with the
same part as the word stem meaning to shoot something.
CO baashkz-, as in the word
wbaashkzaan
WO baashkiz-, as in the word
obaashkizaan
SC pskis-, as in the word pskisam
, as in the word

he/she shoots it

The last part of the stem, the z or s part, is common to many words
referring to heat or fire. Neither of these two parts is a word by itself,
but together the word parts for burst or explode and by heat or by fire
make up a word stem. This process of putting together parts to make
word stems is called derivation.
In Ojibwe and Cree, word stems may be derived from other word
stems by the addition of special derivational affixes, usually suffixes.
For example, by adding the suffix -ge/-ke to the stems in the above
examples, one gets another word, a verb that means to shoot things,
which has different inflections.
CO baashkzige-, as in the word
baashkzige
WO baashkizige-, as in the word
baashkizige
SC pskisike-, as in the word
pskisikew
, as in the word

INSIDE WORDS: INFLECTION

AND

DERIVATION

he/she shoots things

15

Derived stems can change word class. Noun stems can be made out of
the verb stems above by the addition of various derivational suffixes.
CO baashkzigan
WO baashkizigan
SC pskisikan

gun

These noun stems with verb stems within them can be bases for further
verbs, as illustrated below:
CO wbaashkzigani-, as in the word
baashkzigani
WO obaashkizigani-, as in the word
obaashkizigani
SC opskisikani-, as in the word
opskisikaniw
, as in the word

he/she has a gun

(It should be noted that the third-person prefix w-, which appears at the
beginning of the verb in the first Central Ojibwe example, is often unpronounced or deleted owing to pronunciation rules. It appears in certain
other examples in this document, but should be considered optional.)
Understanding and using word stems in the correct inflected forms
are essential skills that learners of Cree and Ojibwe must master.

16

INSIDE WORDS: INFLECTION

AND

DERIVATION

3
NOUNS

3.1

The Form of a Noun

Every noun contains a noun stem a core part that carries the basic
meaning of the word. To this stem can be added prefixes and/or suffixes, known as inflections, which give additional grammatical information about the noun for example, its gender, number, and relationship
to other words or phrases in the sentence. The overall pattern of an
inflected noun is shown in the following word diagram:
inflectional + NOUN + inflectional suffixes
prefixes
STEM
(noun ending)

Words that share a common stem but have different inflections are considered different forms of the same noun. To illustrate the principle, a
few of the many forms that the noun boat can take are given below.
CO jiimaan
WO jiimaan
SC cmn

boat

jiimaanan
jiimaanan
cmna

boats

CO gjiimaaning
WO gijiimaaning
SC kicmnihk

in your boat

njiimaannaa
nijiimaaninaan
nicmninn

our boat

In this resource guide, the singular form of a noun is considered to be

its stem.

17

3.2

Inflection

3.3

Basic Categories
The basic grammatical categories indicated by inflections are gender,
number, obviation, and the locative form. One or more of these can be
indicated by a single basic suffix added to the noun stem. The form of
a word that is in agreement with the noun in the sentence also indicates some of these categories.

3.4

Gender
Nouns have gender. In Ojibwe and Cree, all nouns belong to one of
two classes of gender animate or inanimate. Nouns referring to people,
animals, trees, and spirits belong to the animate class of nouns. Some
non-living things are also included in the animate class, although most
nouns referring to non-living things are classified as inanimate.
From the learners point of view, the gender of a noun is often
unpredictable and puzzling. For example, while it is easy enough to
understand why such words as dog and birch tree are animate, it is difficult to understand why star, mitt, ice, and net are animate and earth, shoe,
water, and boat inanimate.
A noun and any demonstrative that accompanies it must agree in
gender. Thus a demonstrative used with an animate noun must be in
the animate gender; a demonstrative used with an inanimate noun must
be in the inanimate gender. This means that the gender of a noun is
shown by the form of the words that are in agreement with it. Once
students are familiar with the forms of demonstratives, they will be able
to determine the gender of unfamiliar nouns by looking at the demonstratives that modify them.
Animate Nouns
CO wa nini
WO awe inini
SC ana npew

18

Inanimate Nouns
that man

wi mkizin
iwe makizin
anima maskisin

that shoe

NOUNS

Verbs also take on different inflections to show agreement with nouns.

In the examples below, the form of I see varies in accordance with the
gender (animate or inanimate) of the noun involved.

3.5

CO Kwezens nwaabmaa.
WO Ikwezens niwaabamaa.
SC Iskwesi
s niwpamw.

I see a girl.

CO Jiimaan nwaabndaan.
WO Jiimaan niwaabandaan.
SC Cmn niwpahten.

I see a boat.

Number
Nouns have number; that is, they can be either singular or plural. The
plural is formed by the addition of a suffix to the stem.
Animate Singular
CO kwe
WO ikwe
SC iskwew

Animate Plural
woman

Inanimate Singular
CO wiikwaan/
wiiwkwaan
WO aanakwaan
SC astotin

hat

kwewag
ikwewag
iskwewak

women

Inanimate Plural
wiikwaanan/
wiiwkwaanan
aanakwaanan
astotina

hats

The plural form of a noun shows not only number but also gender; different suffixes are used to indicate the plural of animate and inanimate
nouns. In Ojibwe, the animate plural suffix ends in -g and the inanimate plural suffix ends in -n. In Cree, the animate plural suffix ends in
-k and the inanimate plural suffix ends in -a. The actual form of each
plural suffix varies from noun stem to noun stem. Most stems require a
connective between the stem and the last sound of the suffix. The form
that these connectives take also varies from noun stem to noun stem;
for example, each of the Ojibwe noun stems below except the first

NOUNS

19

noun stem, which requires no connective has its distinctive connective:

a, wa, o, ii, oo. Similarly, the Cree examples use either a or wa, or
require no connective.
CO mko/mkwa
WO makwa
SC maskwa

bear

mkog/mkwag
makwag
maskwak

bears

CO gwiizens/
gwiiwzens
WO gwiiwizens
SC npesi
s

boy

gwiizensag/
gwiiwzensag
gwiiwizensag
npesi
sak

boys

CO ngig

otter

ngigwag/
ngigog
nigigwag
nikikwak

otters

CO sab
WO asab
SC anapiy

net

sabiig
asabiig
anapiyak

nets

CO mtig
WO mitig
SC mistik

tree

mtigoog
mitigoog
mistikwak

trees

WO nigig
SC nikik

The form of a demonstrative and a verb will also indicate the number of
the noun to which they refer. In the following sentences, all the words
are tied together by number agreement as well as gender agreement.
Inanimate Singular
CO Gnaajwan maanda mzinigan.
WO Onizhishin owe mazinaigan.
SC Minwsin
ma masinahikan.

This book is nice.

Inanimate Plural
CO Gnaajwanoon nanda mzinignan.
WO Onizhishinoon onowe
mazinaiganan.
SC Minwsinwa

ho masinahikana.

20

These books are nice.

NOUNS

3.6

Obviation
Both Ojibwe and Cree distinguish between two third persons in a sentence or a narrative by means of a mechanism called obviation. In the
sentence John saw Fred, for example, there are two third persons John
and Fred. When a sentence contains two third persons in this kind of
grammatical relationship, one of them is seen as the main one and is
called proximate (as if it were somehow closer to the interest of the
speaker) and the other one is seen as secondary and is called obviative.
The obviative noun takes on an obviative inflectional suffix that distinguishes it from the unmarked proximate third person. In the sentences
below, the obviative ending on the noun is underlined.
CO Zhaanh gii-waabmaan
Panaaswen.
WO John ogii-waabamaan Fredan.
SC Cwn k-wpamew Freda.

John saw Fred.

Since the grammatical relationship between the two nouns is indicated

by their inflections and by the inflection on the verb, the word order
can be varied without changing the essential meaning of the sentence,
as is shown in these Western Ojibwe variations on the same sentence.
WO Ogii-waabamaan John Fredan.
John Fredan ogii-waabamaan.
Fredan John ogii-waabamaan.

John saw Fred.

When two third persons perform the same grammatical function for
example, when they are jointly the subject or object of a verb they
are both proximate or obviative, depending on their relationship to the
other animate third person in the sentence. In the examples below, the
two third persons are both subjects of the verb and proximate.
CO Zhaanh miinwaa Panaaswe
gii-bmosewag miiknaang.
WO John yaaa dash Fred
gii-bimosewag miikanaang.
SC Cwn Fred mka k-pimohtewak
meskanhk.

John and Fred were walking

on the road.

Once a particular third person has been marked as obviative, it can be

referred to without being named or being confused with the proximate
third person, as all the words that agree with it have an obviative inflection. Similarly, all the words that agree with the proximate noun have a

NOUNS

21

proximate inflection. Thus, while the sentence John saw Fred as he was
walking on the road is ambiguous in English (it is not clear whether it
was John or Fred who was doing the walking), it could not be so in Cree
or Ojibwe because the suffix on the verb was walking would indicate
which of the two third persons was performing the action. If the verb
was walking referred to John, it would have a proximate suffix; if it
referred to Fred, it would have an obviative suffix. In the examples
below, the obviative suffixes are underlined.
CO Zhaanh gii-waabmaan
Panaaswen bmosed miiknaang.
WO John ogii-waabamaan Fredan
e-bimosed miikanaang.
SC Cwn k-wpamew Freda
e-pimohtet meskanhk.

John saw Fred as he (John)

was walking on the road.

CO Zhaanh gii-waabmaan
Panaaswen bmosenid
miiknaang.
WO John ogii-waabamaan Fredan
e-bimosenid miikanaang.
SC Cwn k-wpamew Freda
e-pimohtenici meskanhk.

John saw Fred as he (Fred)

was walking on the road.

Demonstratives and verbs also indicate obviation; when they relate to a

noun or pronoun that is obviative, they take on the obviative inflection.
Proximate Form
CO wa mooz
WO awe mooz
SC awa ms

Obviative Form
that moose

niw moozoon
iniwe moozoon
anihi mswa

that moose

In the first set of examples below, older brother is obviative because of

its relationship to another animate noun or third person in the sentence
Mary. The verb has an obviative suffix to match the obviative
suffix of older brother, the noun to which it refers. In the second set of
examples, older brother has the function of the principal noun that is,

22

NOUNS

it is not secondary to another third person but is possessed by a first

person and is therefore not in the obviative form.
CO Nbaawan Maaniinh wsayenyan.

Marys older brother is

sleeping.

WO Nibaawan Maanii osayenzan.

SC Nipniwa Mn ostesa.

CO Nbaa nsayenh.
WO Nibaa nisayenz.
SC Nipw nistes.

My older brother is sleeping.

In Central Ojibwe/Odawa and in Cree, an obviative noun does not

show number; the singular and the plural forms are the same.
CO wsayenyan
SC ostesa

his/her older brother(s)

In Western Ojibwe, the distinction is made between the singular and the
plural of obviative nouns; animate nouns can take on either a singular or
plural obviative suffix.
WO osayenzan
WO osayenza

his/her older brother

his/her older brothers

As is the case with the plural suffixes, the actual form of the obviative
suffix varies with each noun stem. The connective used for each stem is
the same as that used for the plural form of that stem.
In Cree and in some varieties of Ojibwe, a singular inanimate noun
can also occur with an obviative inflection. In Cree the inanimate
obviative suffix ends in -niw.
SC Cwn petw kskipocikaniniw.

NOUNS

John is bringing a saw.

23

3.7

Locative Form
The locative form of a noun is used to express ideas of location. The
locative form is indicated by a suffix.
Noun Stem
CO aakziiwgamig
WO aakoziiwigamig
SC hkoswikamik

Locative Form
hospital

aakziiwgamgoong
aakoziiwigamigong
hkoswikamikohk

to/at/in the
hospital

As is the case with the other basic suffixes, the actual form of the locative suffix varies from noun stem to noun stem. Each stem requires a
particular connective sound between the stem and the last part of the
suffix (see section 3.5); for example, in the word used above, the proper
connective sound is oo (for Central Ojibwe) or o (for Western Ojibwe
and Cree) between the stem and the last part of the suffix, which is -ng
(for Ojibwe) or -hk (for Cree).
3.8

Inflection for Person

3.9

Possessed Nouns
Nouns can also be inflected with one or more affixes to indicate a grammatical relationship of possession. The inflected noun, which can be a
person or thing, is referred to as the possessed noun; the person or being
reflected in the possessed nouns inflectional affixes is referred to as the
possessor. The possessor is shown by a personal prefix or a personal prefix
and personal suffix added to the possessed noun. In the example below,
the possessed noun boat has been formed by adding a personal prefix,
which indicates that the possessor is the speaker, to the stem boat:
CO njiimaan
WO ninjiimaan
SC nicmn

my boat

The prefix, which always appears on a possessed noun, identifies the

person of the possessor (see section 1.4 for an explanation of person as a
grammatical category). In addition to the personal prefix, a possessed
noun may have a basic suffix showing its gender, number, and, if applicable, obviative or locative form. In the following example, the basic
suffix of the possessed noun is inanimate and plural:
CO gmiznaganan
WO gimazinaiganan
SC kimasinahikana

24

your books

NOUNS

A personal suffix may appear between the stem and the basic suffix to
show that the possessor is plural or, if third person, obviative. In the
example below, the noun ending has both a personal suffix and a basic
suffix:
CO gjiimaanwaan
= g + jiimaan + waa + n
WO gijiimaaniwaan
= gi + jiimaan + iwaa + n
SC kicmniwwa
= ki + cmn + iww + a

you + boat + more than one

of you + more than one
thing = your boats

Some possessed nouns take on the possessive suffix -(i)m immediately

after the stem but before any inflectional suffixes.
CO ndishkodem
WO nindishkodem
SC nitiskotem

my fire

The pattern of a possessed noun is given in the following diagram. Only

the personal prefix will appear on every possessed noun.
personal + NOUN + possessive +
prefix
STEM
suffix

3.10

personal +
suffix

basic
suffix

Dependent Nouns
In Cree and many varieties of Ojibwe, a group of nouns, which include
the names of body parts and relatives, always appear in possessed form
with a personal prefix. These nouns are known as dependent nouns
because their stems cannot appear alone but only with a personal prefix
or some other element.

NOUNS

CO gnik
WO ginik
SC kispiton

your arm

CO wmisenyan
WO omisenzan
SC omisa

his/her older sister

25

3.11

Other Inflections

3.12

Diminutive Nouns
A diminutive suffix can be added to a noun stem to indicate that the
thing referred to is of small size relative to other items of its kind. (In
some contexts, this suffix is treated as a derivational suffix.)
CO mookmaanens
WO mookomaanens
SC mhkomnisi
s

3.13

small table knife

Pejorative Nouns
A pejorative suffix can be added to a noun stem to indicate that the
thing or the person named is in some way unsatisfactory or in disfavour. The pejorative suffix may also indicate affection.
CO mookmaanish
WO mookomaanish
SC mhkomnisk
s

useless table knife

In Central Ojibwe, a particular pejorative suffix can be added to convey

a feeling of comfortable familiarity.
CO mookmaanenh

3.14

(good) old table knife

Preterit Nouns
A preterit suffix can be added to a noun stem to indicate past state or
absence. For example, a preterit suffix added to a noun that refers to a
person indicates that the person is deceased. In some varieties of
Ojibwe, a preterit suffix added to a noun that refers to a thing indicates
that the thing is missing or no longer usable.
CO nmishoomsiban
WO nimishoomisiban
SC nimosmipan

my late grandfather

WO odaabaaniban

the train that used to be, the

thing that used to be a train
the bag I used to have, the thing
that used to be my bag

WO nimashkimodiban

26

NOUNS

3.15

Vocative Nouns
In formal speech, a vocative plural suffix may be added to the noun
stem designating the group addressed. A basic suffix does not appear.
CO nishnaabedig
WO niidanishinaabedog
SC awsi
sitok

O, Native people
O, my fellow Natives
O, children

There are special vocative forms used in addressing people by name or,
in some cases, by designations indicating kinship. These often involve
shortening the full word.
CO nmishoomis
WO nimishoomis
SC nimosm

my grandfather

nmishoo
shoomis
mo sm

grandpa (in
address)

Vocative forms are rare in some varieties of Ojibwe.

3.16

Summary of Noun Inflections

The typical order of the inflectional affixes on an inflected noun is
indicated in the following word diagram. For a non-dependent noun,
only the noun stem need appear; for a dependent noun, at least a personal prefix must occur with the stem.
personal + NOUN + diminutive + possessive + pejorative
prefix
STEM
suffix
suffix
suffix
+ personal + preterit + basic or vocative
suffix
suffix
suffix
plural suffix

NOUNS

27

4
PRONOUNS

4.1

Nominal Pronouns

4.2

Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are used in questions that aim to ascertain the
identity of a person or thing. In Cree and some varieties of Ojibwe,
interrogative pronouns may be animate or inanimate, depending on
whether the question refers to a person or thing, and can be inflected
for number and obviation.
Animate
CO wenesh
WO awenen
SC awenihkn/
awena

4.3

Inanimate
who

wenesh
wegonen
kekwn/
kekwnihkn

what

Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecified persons or things.
In Cree and some varieties of Ojibwe, indefinite pronouns may be
inflected with basic suffixes showing number and obviation.
Animate
CO wiya
WO awiya
SC awenihkn

28

Inanimate
someone

gegoo
gegoon
kekwn

something

4.4

Alternative Pronouns
Cree and some varieties of Ojibwe have a pronoun meaning another one
or the other one. This pronoun is known as the alternative pronoun.
Alternative pronouns are inflected with basic suffixes showing
number, obviation, and the locative form.
WO kotak
SC kotakiy/kotak

4.5

the other one, another one

Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns occur in Cree only. The intensive pronoun is used to
focus on a noun, usually one previously mentioned. It is often used in
conjunction with a demonstrative pronoun to add emphasis.
SC ewako/ekwnima

4.6

the very one, the one

previously mentioned

Dubitative Pronouns
Dubitative pronouns, used in Ojibwe, express doubt or uncertainty about
the identity of a being or thing.
Animate Dubitative
Pronoun
CO wegwen/
wegwenh/
wegwendig
WO awegwen

whoever

Inanimate Dubitative
Pronoun
wegwen/
wegwenh/
wegwendig
wegodogwen

whatever

In some varieties of Ojibwe, dubitative pronouns are inflected with

basic suffixes showing number and obviation.
4.7

Pausal Pronouns
Pausal pronouns are used as substitutes for nouns that the speaker cannot
momentarily recall. Pausal pronouns are inflected like nouns.
Animate Pausal Pronoun
CO yaaa
WO ayaaa
SC ayahw

PRONOUNS

some being,
whats-his-name

Inanimate Pausal Pronoun

yaii
ayaii
ayahw

some thing,
whatchamacallit

29

In Ojibwe, pausal pronouns can also be nouns themselves, often possessed or occurring with other affixes.
CO ndaiiman
WO odayaiiman

4.8

my stuff
his stuff

Other Nominal Pronouns

Other nominal pronouns occur in Ojibwe and Cree and are used for a
variety of functions for example, to indicate that the person or thing
referred to is of a certain type or that he/she/it is absent or missing.
CO danow/danowa
WO dinookaan
SC awenipan

4.9

this kind, a certain kind

this kind, a certain kind
someone absent, something missing

Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns refer to the various roles taken in speech. The first
person is the speaker, the second person is the one addressed, and the
third person is the one spoken of.
First-Person
Singular
CO nii/niin
WO niin
SC nna

I/me

Second-Person
Singular

Third-Person
Singular

gii/giin
giin
kna

wii/wiin
wiin
wna

you

he/she

There are two first-person plurals: the exclusive plural, which excludes
the person addressed, and the inclusive plural, which includes the person
addressed.
First-Person
Exclusive Plural
CO niinwi
WO niinawind
SC nnann

30

we/us, but
not you

First-Person
Inclusive Plural
giinwi
giinawind
knannaw/
knnaw

we/us, including
you

PRONOUNS

The other plural forms are the second- and third-person plural.
Second-Person
Plural
CO giinwaa
WO giinawaa
SC knaww

4.10

Third-Person
Plural
you

wiinwaa
wiinawaa
wnaww

they/them

Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out or designate specific
things or persons. They agree with the nouns to which they relate in
gender, number, and obviation (for examples, see sections 3.43.6).
The two demonstrative pronouns most often used designate two
distinct degrees of distance, corresponding roughly to the distinction
between the English this and that. Further degrees of distance (this one
over here, that one over there, etc.) can be expressed in some varieties
of Ojibwe by other forms. The charts below are not comprehensive;
they show the main forms, with some common variants, for the three
languages covered.
Demonstrative Pronouns in Central Ojibwe/Odawa
Animate

singular
plural
obviative

Inanimate

this/these

that/those

this/these

that/those

maaba
gonda
nonda, nanda

wa
giw
niw

maanda
nonda, nanda

wi
niw

Another degree of distance may be expressed by the following forms:

wedi, giwedi, niwedi; wedi, niwedi.

PRONOUNS

31

Demonstrative Pronouns in Western Ojibwe

Animate

Inanimate

this/these

that/those

this/these

that/those

singular

waawe/waa

aawe/awe/
aa

oowe/owe/
oo

iiwe/iwe/ii

plural

ogowe/ogo/
igiwe/igi/
onowe/ono/
iniwe/ini/
ogoweniwag igiweniwag
onoweniwan
iniweniwan

obviative onowe/ono/
iniwe/ini/
ooweni
singular
onoweniwan
iniweniwan

iiweni

obviative
plural

iniweniwan/
iniwe/ini

onoweniwa/
onowe/ono

iniweniwa/
iniwe/ini

onoweniwan/
onowe/ono

Other degrees of distance may be expressed by adding -di to the forms

above: waawedi, ogowedi(g), etc.; aawedi (awedi), igiwedi(g),
iniwedi(n), etc.
Demonstrative Pronouns in Cree
Animate

Inanimate

this/these

that/those

this/these

that/those

singular

awa

ana

ma

anima

plural

ko/ki

aniki

ho/hi

anihi

meniw

animeniw

ho/hi

anihi
ho/hi

anihi

obviative
singular
obviative
plural

Another degree of distance is expressed by the following: naha, neki,

nehi; nema, nehi, nemeniw.
In Cree, the demonstrative pronoun may be combined with the
intensive pronoun to add emphasis, as in the following example:
SC ekwnima = e(wa)ko + anima

32

thats the one

PRONOUNS

5
NOUN PHRASES

A phrase consists of a group of words that are tied together in some

way and that function as a unit in the structure of a sentence. A noun
phrase usually consists of a noun that may or may not be accompanied
by other words that modify it; this noun is commonly referred to as the
head noun. In some contexts, the head noun may be missing and the
noun phrase may consist only of one or more of the modifying words.
In some cases, the entire noun phrase may be represented by a personal
pronoun.
A noun phrase may contain another noun phrase serving as a possessor, or it may contain a subordinate clause functioning as a relative
clause. Nouns within noun phrases may be linked by conjunctions.
A noun phrase is not a sentence in itself, but is often used alone in
conversation as a fragment or as an answer to a question. Within sentences, noun phrases most often function as the subject or object of a
verb. (Some verbs can have two objects.) The different parts of a noun
phrase need not appear next to one another in a sentence.
5.1

Grammatical Components of Noun Phrases

5.2

Noun in Noun Phrase

A noun used alone can act as a noun phrase.
CO Naadmawshin bkwezhgan.
WO Aazha na gigii-waabamaa
mashkikiiwinini.
SC Nika-nten cmn.

Get me the bread.

Did you see the doctor yet?
Ill get the canoe.

33

5.3

Nominal Pronoun in Noun Phrase

A nominal pronoun can act as a noun phrase.
CO Wenesh gaa-bi-zhaad noongo.
WO Giishpin andawendaman
gegoon, wiindamawishinaam.
SC Kotakniw k-osihtw.

5.4

Who came today?

If you want anything,
just tell us.
He fixed the other one.

Demonstrative Pronoun With Noun in Noun Phrase

A demonstrative pronoun may modify a head noun, agreeing with it in
number, gender, and obviation. The demonstrative may appear with the
head noun or in place of it.
CO Aakzi wa kwezens.
WO Aandi gaa-ondinaman iwe.
SC Mnik awsi
sak
anihi
masinahikana.

5.5

That girl is sick.

Where did you get that?
Give those books to the
children.

Quantifier or Other Particle in Noun Phrase

A quantifier or some other particle can act as a noun phrase or it can
form part of a noun phrase.
CO Kina go naa gegoo miijim
gii-te.
WO Ninga-miinaa nishiimenz
bangii.
SC Nitaywwak tiht atimwak.

5.6

There were all kinds of

food there.
Im going to give my younger
brother a little bit.
I have several dogs.

Personal Pronoun in Noun Phrase

A personal pronoun used to provide emphasis can act as a noun phrase.
It is often used with an emphatic particle or a conjunction.
CO Gdayekoz na gegii.
WO Geniin bangii biidamawishin.
SC Kekwn mka kna k-petyan.

34

And you, are you tired, too?

Bring me a little, too.
What about you, what did
you bring?

NOUN PHRASES

5.7

Noun Phrase As Possessor

Any type of noun phrase may appear as the possessor of a noun; the
affixes on the possessed noun agree in person, number, and obviation
with the noun or pronoun designating the possessor.
CO Binoojiinh wmakzin ngii-mkaan.
WO Aandi gimisenz odaanakwaan.
SC Kik-otinamwn n Cwn
omasinahikan.

5.8

I found the babys shoe.

Wheres your sisters hat?
Did you pick up Johns book?

Relative Clauses
Relative clauses are clauses that modify noun phrases or stand for noun
phrases. For a fuller discussion of the topic and further examples, see
section 7.61.
CO Baatiinwag genwaabndigejig
enji-niimiding.
WO Giinwaa gaa-gitimiyeg
gawishimog.
SC Niw-mcin k-atihteki.

5.9

Conjoined Noun Phrases

5.10

Noun Phrases With Conjunctions

There are a lot of spectators

at the dance.
You lazy ones, go to bed!
Ill eat the ripe ones.

Noun phrases may be connected by conjunctions.

CO Maajiidoon waaboowaan
miinwaa pikweshmowin.
WO Wii-gitigewag nisayenz
owiiwan idash.
SC Nik-mnw sniyn

asici

mka mciminiw.

NOUN PHRASES

Take along a blanket and

a pillow.
My older brother and his wife
are going to plant a garden.
I gave him money and also
food.

35

5.11

Noun Phrases in Lists

Noun phrases can be connected without the use of conjunctions.
CO Wgii-biidoonaawaa kwa nwanj go
gegoo, gnimaa zaasgokwaanan,
naagnan, emkwaanan,
mookmaanan.
WO Ningitigaadaanan noojigo bigo
gegoonan, opiniin, okaadaakwag,
oginiig, gichi-aniibiishan.

36

They brought all kinds of

things, such as frying pans,
dishes, spoons, knives.
Im planting all sorts of things
potatoes, carrots, tomatoes,
cabbage.

NOUN PHRASES

6
VERBLESS SENTENCES

6.1

Equational Sentences
Equational sentences are sentences without verbs in which a noun
phrase combines with another noun phrase to make a statement or
ask a question concerning the identity of a person or thing.

6.2

Equational Sentence With Demonstrative Pronoun

One of the noun phrases in an equational sentence is usually a demonstrative pronoun; the other noun phrase is usually a noun but may
contain a possessed noun with its possessor, as in the second set of
examples below.

6.3

CO Waagaakwad maanda.
WO Akikoog igiwe.
SC Masinahikan ma.

This is an axe.
Those are pails.
This is a book.

CO Zhaanh wmakzinan niwi.

WO Mary iniweniwan
odoodaabaanensiman.
SC Nna ma nimetawkan.

Those are Johns shoes.

Thats Marys car.
This is my toy.

Negative Equational Sentence

In Ojibwe, an equational sentence may contain a negative particle.
CO Gaawii giin wi gmiznagan.
WO Gaawiin niin owe nimookomaan.

Thats not your book.

Thats not my table knife.

37

6.4

Equational Yes/No Question

To ask a yes/no question, the question particle na/n is inserted in an
equational statement.
CO Esbikenh na maaba.
WO Gitigaanan na iniwe.
SC Kna n kicmn anima.

6.5

Is this a spider?
Are those plants?
Is that your boat?

Equational Content Question

An interrogative pronoun can combine with a noun phrase to form a
question intended to ascertain identity or posession.
CO Wenesh wa kwe.
WO Awenen odazhigana onoweniwa.
SC Kekwn anima.

6.6

Whos that woman?

Whose socks are these?
Whats that?

Equational Sentence With Dubitative Pronoun

In Ojibwe, a dubitative pronoun and a noun phrase can combine to
form a verbless sentence expressing doubt or uncertainty about the
identity of a person or thing.
CO Wegwendig wa nini.
WO Wegodogwen iwe dinookaan.

6.7

I wonder who that man is.

I wonder what kind that is.

Verbless Sentences With Adverbs or

Other Particles
Some adverbs and other particles, used alone or in combination with
other adverbs, particles, or noun phrases, may form sentences without
verbs.

6.8

Adverb or Other Particle

In conversation, one or several adverbs or other particles standing alone
may function as a sentence.
CO Aaniipiish.
WO Gego mashi.
SC Tpwe.

38

When?
Not yet.
True.

VERBLESS SENTENCES

6.9

Adverb or Other Particle With Question Particle

A question particle can be added to an adverb or another particle to
form a verbless yes/no question.
CO Maampii na.
WO Aazha na.
SC Mna n.

6.10

Here?
Ready?
More?

Adverb or Other Particle With Noun Phrase

Some adverbs and other particles can combine with a noun phrase to
form a verbless sentence.
CO Nashke maaba.
WO Aazha dede.
SC say
nna.

6.11

Look at this!
Daddys here now.
Im ready.

Interrogative Adverb With Noun Phrase

An interrogative adverb can combine with a noun phrase to form a
verbless locative question.
CO Aabiish niwi nmakzinan.
WO Aaniindi animosh.
SC Tnte astotin.

6.12

Where are my shoes?

Wheres the dog?
Wheres the hat?

Dubitative Adverb With Noun Phrase

In Ojibwe, a dubitative adverb can occur with a noun phrase to form a
verbless sentence expressing doubt or uncertainty about the location of
a person or thing.
CO Dbi iidig nmijkaawnag.
WO Dibi apane nindaanis.

6.13

I wonder where my mittens are.

I wonder where my daughter has
gone.

Verbless Sentences With Focus Word

In Ojibwe, a particle called a predicator is used to focus on some part
of a sentence. In Cree, the intensive pronoun serves a similar function,
often pointing to something previously mentioned.

VERBLESS SENTENCES

39

6.14

Focus Word With Noun Phrase

A focus word may occur with a noun phrase. In Cree, the intensive
pronoun and a demonstrative may be written together as one word.
CO Mii wa.
WO Amii igiweniwag
nindinawemaaganag.
SC Ekwnima.

6.15

Its him; thats the one.

Those are my relatives.
Thats it.

Focus Word With Noun Phrase and Question Particle

A question particle can be used with a focus word and a noun phrase
to form a verbless question asking for confirmation of an objects or a
persons identity.
CO Mii na maanda gbiiskawaagan.
WO Amii na awe oshkimekadewikwanaye.
SC Eko n anima
k-nimtamapan.

6.16

Is this your coat?

Is that the new priest?
Is that the one you were talking
about?

Focus Word With Adverb

A focus word can occur with an adverb to form a verbless statement or
yes/no question about time, place, or manner.
CO Mii go geget.
WO Amii imaa.
SC Ewako n anta.

40

Thats for sure.

Right there.
Is that the place?

VERBLESS SENTENCES

7
VERBS

The verb is the main feature of most sentences in Cree and Ojibwe;
nothing more is needed to make a sentence. Noun phrases and adverbs
and other particles may occur with the verb, but are not essential.
7.1

The Form of a Verb

The fundamental unit of a verb is the verb stem, which carries the
verbs basic meaning the state or action described by the verb (be, see,
run, for example). Various inflectional affixes, which relate the verb to
the other words in the sentence or add meanings not contained in the
stem (time or negation, for example), appear around this basic stem.
Some of these inflectional affixes are prefixes; most are suffixes. The
overall pattern of an inflected verb is indicated in the following word
diagram:
inflectional prefixes + VERB STEM + inflectional suffixes (verb ending)

In the examples that follow, the verb stem see is surrounded by affixes
that convey pertinent information; they tell the reader or listener that
the speaker did the seeing, that the action has already taken place, and
that more than one person was seen by the speaker. In grammatical
terms, the affixes identify the subject, the tense, and the object of the
verb.
CO Ngii-waabmaag.
WO Ningii-waabamaag.
SC Nik-wpamwak.

I saw them.

41

In this particular case, it is possible to identify individual suffixes; -g or

-wak at the end of the verb, for example, indicates that the object is
animate plural. The second-last suffix, -aa or -, indicates the direction
of the action that is, that it is the speaker who saw them, and not the
other way around. In many instances, however, the various suffixes
overlap and blend together so that it is difficult to identify individual
suffixes. For this reason, the suffixes attached to a verb stem are often
referred to collectively as the verb ending.
The inflectional prefixes include personal prefixes, tense prefixes,
and subordinating prefixes. These take on different forms and patterns,
depending on the other inflections used.
7.2

Subject and Object

The subject of a verb (sometimes called the actor ) is the main person or
thing involved in the action or state described by the verb, typically the
one that performs the action or the one whose state or condition is
described by the verb. In the example above (see section 7.1), the subject is the speaker, the first person. The object of a verb is an additional
person or thing involved in the action or state described by the verb,
typically one that is affected by the action of the verb. In the example
above, the object of the verb is them, the third-person plural. Some
verbs can have two objects.
The inflectional affixes attached to the verb identify the subject or
object, or both, by giving information about their categories, such as
gender, number, person, and obviation. The subject or the object can
also be named in a noun phrase. The identifying inflectional affixes,
however, will appear on the verb, whether a noun phrase is used or not.
In the examples below, the inflected verbs appear with one or two
optional noun phrases, in addition to the required verbal affixes.
CO Genii ngii-waabmaag
giw gwiizensag.
WO Indawaaj niin ningiiwe.
SC Tnte mka kna etohteyan.

7.3

I, too, saw those boys.

Im going home now.
And what about you, where do you
want to go?

Double-Object Verbs
Some verbs, called double-object verbs, can have two objects. One of
these is the person or thing to which the action is directed (traditionally
known as the indirect object) and the other is the person or thing to
which the action happens (traditionally known as the direct object).

42

VERBS

While either or both of these objects can be present in the sentence in

the form of noun phrases, only one object the indirect object can be
identified in the inflectional affixes. In the following example, the subject is I; the object identified in the inflections is him; and the other
object, not included in the verb inflections, is book.
CO Ngii-miinaa Zhaanh mzinigan.
I gave John a book.
WO John ningii-miinaa mazinaigan.
SC Nik-mnw Cwn masinahikaniniw.

7.4

Verb Classes
There are two basic types of verbs: transitive verbs, which typically have
objects, and intransitive verbs, which typically do not. The verb stems of
transitive and intransitive verbs differ, as do the paradigms or sets of
inflectional affixes that occur with them.
Verbs are further classified by gender: intransitive verbs are identified by the gender of their subjects, while transitive verbs are identified
by the gender of their objects. Thus four basic classes of verbs emerge:
animate intransitive verbs, inanimate intransitive verbs, transitive inanimate
verbs, and transitive animate verbs. This classification is reflected both in
the verb stems and the paradigms of inflectional affixes used with them.
The stems and inflectional paradigms of some verbs belong to different
classifications; for example, some verbs that have transitive inanimate
stems are or can be inflected as animate intransitive verbs.

7.5

Animate Intransitive Verbs

Animate intransitive verbs (abbreviated VAI) typically have animate subjects but no objects. The stem and the inflectional paradigm are of the
animate intransitive type.

VERBS

CO ngizo
WO ningizo
SC tihkisow

it melts (it refers here to an

animate noun ice,
for instance)

CO nbo/mbo
WO nibo
SC nipiw

he/she dies

43

7.6

Inanimate Intransitive Verbs

Inanimate intransitive verbs (abbreviated VII) have inanimate subjects
but no objects.
CO ngide
WO ningide
SC tihkitew

it melts (it refers here to an

inanimate noun butter,
for instance)

Some inanimate intransitive verbs, especially those describing weather

and geographical features, are impersonal and typically do not occur
with nouns as subjects.
CO zoogpo
WO zoogopon/zoogipon
SC mispon

7.7

it is snowing

Transitive Inanimate Verbs

Transitive inanimate verbs (abbreviated VTI) have inanimate objects.
Their subjects are usually animate.
There are two main classes or types of transitive inanimate verbs,
each with its own class marker suffix. Most transitive inanimate stems
belong to one of these two classes; in Ojibwe, a few belong to additional minor classes. The class of the verb is indicated in the ending,
underlined in these examples. The first class of transitive inanimate
verbs is usually abbreviated VTI:
CO nwaabndaan
WO niwaabandaan
SC niwpahten

I see it

The second class of transitive inanimate verbs is abbreviated VTI2:

CO mbiidoon
WO nimbiidoon
SC niptw

I bring it

In some discussions of Cree structure, the VTI2 type is treated as an

animate intransitive verb since it uses affixes of the animate intransitive
class.
Some animate intransitive verbs may occur in sentences with objects.
These animate intransitive verbs with objects, abbreviated VAI+O, have

44

VERBS

stems of the animate intransitive class. In Cree, they also have inflectional
affixes of the same class for the subject; in Ojibwe, they may use a special paradigm of inflections resembling that of transitive inanimate verbs,
in which the verb endings identify the object as well as the subject.
CO nminkwen
WO ningii-adaawenan

7.8

I drink it
I bought them

Transitive Animate Verbs

Transitive animate verbs (abbreviated VTA) have animate objects. The
subjects are usually animate.
CO nwaabmaa
WO niwaabamaa
SC niwpamw

I see him/her/it (something

grammatically animate)

Several different subsets of paradigms of inflectional affixes can be used

with transitive animate verbs. Each has a direction marker (sometimes
called a theme sign) suffix in the ending to identify the relationship
between the entities involved that is, to indicate which is the subject
and which is the object. There are also paradigms of affixes for inanimate subjects and for indefinite subjects. The latter are used to express
meanings similar to those conveyed by the use of the passive voice
in English.
7.9

Intermediate Verbs
In Ojibwe, some transitive inanimate verb stems do not take objects
and are inflected in the animate intransitive paradigm. These stems
(labelled VAI2) retain the transitive inanimate class marker. Other transitive inanimate stems can be inflected in either the transitive inanimate
paradigm or the animate intransitive paradigm, depending on whether
or not they take an object. In Cree, some transitive inanimate stems
may typically occur without objects, but such verbs are inflected in the
normal transitive inanimate paradigm.
CO zaagam
WO nindinendam
SC ostostotam

VERBS

he/she goes outside

I think so
he/she coughs

45

7.10

Relational Verbs
In Cree and some varieties of Ojibwe, animate intransitive and transitive inanimate verbs can have relational forms to indicate that the
action of the verb relates to some person other than the subject or the
object. A special paradigm of endings is used to indicate the relational
form of verbs.
WO Ninandawenimig ji-nagamowag.
SC Nik-wpahtamwn ocmn.

7.11

He wants me to sing.
I saw his boat.

Verb Orders
There are three basic verb orders: the imperative order, used in giving
commands; the independent order, used in most statements and yes/no
questions; and the conjunct order, used mainly in content questions and
in subordinate clauses of various types. Each order has its distinct paradigm of inflectional affixes. These affixes vary according to the type of
the verb (VAI,VII, etc.) and the way the verb is used in the sentence.
The main uses of each order and the paradigms of inflectional
affixes that can be used with different classes of stems within each order
are examined in the following sections.

7.12

The Imperative Order

Verbs in the imperative order express commands or requests, although
not all verbs used in this way are in the imperative order. The inflectional endings of imperative-order verbs contain suffixes registering the
subject, which is animate and second person (singular, plural, or inclusive plural), and, in some transitive forms, the object. Since the subject
must be animate and second person, inanimate intransitive verbs have
no imperative forms. Personal prefixes are not used and tense prefixes
are very rare.
There are three main modes of imperative verbs, each used for a
particular purpose: the immediate imperative (also called the present or regular imperative), which expresses commands and requests to be executed
immediately; the delayed imperative (also called the future or deferred
imperative), which expresses commands and requests to be executed at
some point in the future; and, in Ojibwe, the prohibitive imperative
(also called the negative imperative), which expresses negative commands.
Each form has a distinct set of inflectional endings.

46

VERBS

7.13

Uses of the Imperative Verb

The imperative verb is used to express commands or requests. The
imperative verb may be the only verb in the sentence, or it may appear
with a subordinate clause with a conjunct verb.
The overall structure of the imperative verb is:
VERB STEM + imperative ending

7.14

Inflection of the Imperative Verb for Subject and Object

Given the many variations that exist among local forms of Ojibwe and
Cree, paradigms of inflectional endings for various verb types are not
given here. Rather, teachers are encouraged to compile their own
charts of imperative verb endings, which should reflect the forms used
in local varieties of the language. Detailed instructions and blank charts
have been provided for this purpose in the Appendix to this document
(see pp. 93117).
In the examples that follow, the imperative endings on the verbs
have been underlined. All the examples in this section are in the immediate mode.

7.15

Animate intransitive imperative inflection. An animate intransitive imperative verb has an animate subject but no object. The person
and number of the second-person animate subject are indicated in the
imperative ending.
CO Wewiib nishkaag.
WO Daga zhemaag giigidon.
SC Eko wanawtk.

Hurry and get up!

Call immediately!
Lets go outside!

Some Cree verb forms have no singular imperative ending, and the
stem appears alone:
SC Wanaw.

Go outside!

7.16

Transitive inanimate imperative inflection. A transitive inanimate

imperative verb has an animate subject and an inanimate object. The
person and number of the second-person animate subject are indicated
by an imperative ending. The inanimate object may be singular or plural,
but number is not indicated in the ending except in the inclusive plural

VERBS

47

subject forms. The person and number of the second-person animate

subject are indicated by an inflectional ending, which may include the
appropriate class marker.
CO Bi-ninan ziisbaakwad.
WO Zagakisidoon gidayaiiman.
SC ta isi-ast

anima metawkan.

7.17

Pass the sugar.

Tidy up your things.
Put that toy here.

Transitive animate imperative inflection. A transitive animate

imperative verb has an animate subject and object. Most combinations
of subject and object are indicated in the imperative ending, which may
contain a direction marker.
CO Bzindawig bneshiinyag.
WO Nanaandonewaadaa
dakoniwewinini.
SC Isiwininn

mwehci anohc.

Listen to the birds.

Lets go look for a policeman.
Take us right away.

With a double-object verb, the ending reflects the indirect object.

CO Miizh Maanii mzinigan.
WO Adaawetamawishin bangii
minaagoon.
SC Wpahtinamawik kicmniww.

Give Mary the book.

Buy me some perfume.
Show me your boat.

7.18

Inflection of the Imperative Verb for Mode

7.19

The immediate imperative mode. The immediate mode of the

imperative is used to express commands or requests that are to be executed immediately. All the examples in sections 7.157.17 are in the
immediate mode.

7.20

The delayed (or future) imperative mode. The delayed form of

the imperative is used to express commands or requests that are to be
carried out at some future time. (In some contexts, the requests
expressed by the delayed imperative are polite in tone.) The endings
for the delayed imperative contain a delayed-mode suffix: -k in Ojibwe,
-hk in Cree.
CO Baamaa bi-zhaakan.
WO Wiijiaakeg gimaamaa.
SC Kwayask kanawpahtamhkan.

48

Come back (later).

Help your mother.
Take a good look at it (later).

VERBS

7.21

The prohibitive imperative mode. In Ojibwe, the prohibitive

(or negative) imperative expresses negative commands or requests. A
prohibitive particle, which appears at the beginning of the sentence, is
normally used with a prohibitive verb. The endings of a prohibitive
verb contain the prohibitive suffix -k (-g after n).
In Cree, a prohibitive particle is used with the immediate or the
delayed imperative mode to express a negative command.
CO Gego biigsidooke naagan.
WO Gego zaagaangen.
SC Kwina pkopitamok anihi
metawkana.

7.22

Dont break that dish!

Dont go outside!
Dont break those toys!

The Independent Order

Whether or not a verb is in the independent order is determined by the
way it is used. Usually when a verb is the main verb in a statement or
yes/no question, it is in the independent order. The affixes of the independent order register the subject and, in many cases, an object. The
affixes may include a personal prefix and one or several suffixes indicating the subject or object, or subject-object combinations. Time and
related ideas can be indicated by tense prefixes. The overall structure of
independent verbs is:
personal + tense + VERB + independent
prefix
prefixes
STEM
ending

Not all of these components are present in every independent verb: a

personal prefix is required for only certain subjects or subject-object
combinations; tense prefixes may not be required; and some forms
either have no suffix or the suffix is deleted by pronunciation rules
from certain stems.
Independent-order verbs occur in one of four modes; the neutral
mode, the preterit mode, the dubitative mode, and the preterit-dubitative
mode. All of these, except the neutral mode, have their own characteristic mode suffixes. Verbs without a mode suffix are considered to be in
the neutral (or indicative) mode.
The endings of independent verbs are often very complicated and
contain several different suffixes that blend together so that it becomes
difficult to identify individual suffixes. Independent verb endings may
include one or more of the following: a subject/object suffix or suffixes, a direction marker, and a mode suffix or suffixes. Other suffixes
may also be present, representing other grammatical ideas; for example,
in Ojibwe, independent verbs can have negative suffixes.

VERBS

49

7.23

Uses of the Independent Verb

7.24

Independent verb in statement. The main verb in a statement is

usually in the independent order. The independent verb is underlined
in the examples below.
CO Ndaakoz.
WO Ajina oodenaang
babaamibizowag.
SC Wes kiskamitew.

7.25

Independent verb in yes/no question. The main verb in a yes/no

question can be in the independent order. A yes/no question particle is
usually the second word in the sentence. The independent verb is
underlined in the examples below.
CO Gmaajaami na.
WO Giiyaabi na omaa ayaa Aneman.
SC Kiypic n kitstostoten.

7.26

I am sick.
They are riding around town
for a while.
It is too hot.

Are we going?
Is Raymond still here?
Are you still coughing?

Inflection of the Independent Verb for Subject and Object

A personal prefix indicating the person of the subject or object is
required in some forms; other grammatical information about the subject or object, or both, is indicated in the ending. The most common
subject and subject-object patterns are illustrated below.
Given the many variations among local forms of Ojibwe and Cree,
paradigms of inflectional endings for individual verb types would be of
limited usefulness in a guide of this type. However, teachers are encouraged to compile their own verb charts using local forms of inflectional
endings. Blank charts and detailed instructions are provided for this
purpose in the Appendix to this document (see pp. 93117).

7.27

Animate intransitive independent inflection. The animate subject

of an animate intransitive verb can be first, second, or third person and
singular or plural. A third-person subject may be obviative. The subject
may also be indefinite.
a) The number and obviation of a third-person subject are indicated in
the ending. In the neutral mode, a third-person singular ending is often
deleted owing to pronunciation rules.
b) A first- or second-person subject is indicated by a personal prefix,
often in combination with a suffix showing number. The first-person
prefix is used if the subject is first person; the second-person prefix is

50

VERBS

used if the subject is second person or inclusive, a form that includes the
second person.
A distinctive feature of Ojibwe is the loss of a short vowel from the
end of the stem when the subject is a first- or second-person singular.
Note the loss of the final -i in the first person in the example below.
niimi
niniim

he/she dances
I dance

c) An indefinite subject usually some unspecified group is indicated

by the indefinite suffix in the verb ending. The resulting form emphasizes the taking place of the action rather than the role of the participants in the action. The Western Ojibwe and Cree forms can be further
inflected as inanimate intransitive verbs.
CO Wii-niimidim.
WO Naanaage
da-maawajiidinaaniwan.
SC K-ayamihcikniwan kekisep.

Theres going to be a dance.

There will be a meeting later on.
There was a church service
this morning.

d) The Ojibwe VAI2 verbs follow the same patterns as those outlined
above when used intransitively, but the endings begin with the class
marker -am (this can also appear as -an, -aa).
CO Nzaagam.
WO Nindinendaamin.

7.28

Im going outside.
We think so.

Inanimate intransitive independent inflection. The subject of an

inanimate intransitive verb is inanimate and third person. The number
and obviation of the subject is shown in the ending. In the neutral
mode, a singular non-obviative ending is often deleted.
CO Aapji mchaani wwiigwaam.
WO Biigoshkaawan
nindooshkiinzhigokaanan.
SC Minospakwan n atihko-wys.

His house is very big.

My glasses are broken.
Does the caribou meat
taste good?

Inanimate intransitive verbs, especially those describing natural conditions,

may be used impersonally, without a subject. Such verbs are inflected
as singular.
CO Zgimekaa.
WO Gii-gichi-gimiwan dibikong.
SC say
wpa kata-mispon.

VERBS

There are a lot of mosquitoes.

It rained hard last night.
Its going to snow pretty soon.

51

7.29

Transitive inanimate independent inflection. The subject of a

transitive inanimate verb is typically animate; the object is inanimate
and third person. In Cree, only the subject is indicated by affixes, which
follow the same pattern as that outlined for the animate intransitive
verb. In Ojibwe, the pattern is different; the person of the subject (first,
second, or third) is indicated by a personal prefix; other grammatical
information about the subject and the number of the object are indicated by suffixes in the ending. In both languages, the suffixes blend
with the class marker between the end of the stem and the suffixes.
All transitive inanimate stems belong to specific classes, each of
which has its own class marker suffix. In Ojibwe, the class marker of
class 1 stems (labelled simply VTI) takes the form -am, -an, or -aa in
the ending; in Cree, it takes the form -am, -an, or -e. The class marker
of the second most common class (labelled VTI2) is -oo in Ojibwe and
- in Cree. In Ojibwe, a small number of verbs (the VTI3 group) use
no class marker.
CO Bapaa wnaadnan
pikweshmownan.
WO Joe ogii-biidoon nimazinaigan.
SC Kiteppahten n nema cmn
skahikanihk.

Dad is getting the pillows.

Joe brought my book.
Can you see the boat on the
lake from here?

It should be noted that the third-person prefix (w-) indicated in the

first example above may be deleted in many varieties of Ojibwe owing
to pronunciation rules.
In Cree, animate intransitive verbs with objects (VAI+O) follow the
regular pattern of inflections for intransitive verbs; in Ojibwe, they may
follow the pattern of affixes for VTI3 stems, which have no class marker.
CO Ngii-adaawen wiingashk.
WO Ojiimaan oga-adaawaagen.
SC Nik-swpihkn

psiskkan.

7.30

52

I sold some sweetgrass.

He is going to sell his boat.
I bought a coat.

Transitive animate independent inflection. The subject and object

of a transitive animate verb can be first, second, or third person and singular or plural. A third-person subject or object may be obviative. If
both the subject and object are third person, at least one of them must
be obviative. The subject of a transitive animate verb may also be inanimate (singular or plural) or indefinite.
The subject and object cannot refer to the same person; thus there
are no forms for an inclusive plural subject with a second-person
object, as both of these would include the same person, the listener.

VERBS

When the subject and object are the same person (he talks to himself ),
an animate intransitive verb with a reflexive stem is used (see section 8.17).
The person of the subject or object is indicated by a personal
prefix. (The absence of a personal prefix indicates a third person in
Cree.) Whether the prefix is the subject or the object is determined by
the direction marker used. All other grammatical information relating
to the subject and object is conveyed by suffixes. Almost any transitive
animate stem can occur with any direction marker; the latter simply
indicates the relationship between a particular kind of subject and a
particular kind of object. The direction markers are: the direct, the
inverse, the me-object, and the you-object. In addition, there are variants
of the inverse marker for indefinite and inanimate subjects.
7.31

The direct marker. The direct form is used when the subject is first
or second person and the object is third person. The personal prefix,
where required, indicates the person of the subject. In Ojibwe, the
direct marker takes the form -aa; in Cree, - or -e. Other suffixes
appear in the ending along with the direct marker, indicating various
categories of the subject and object.
CO Chi-Joe gga-o-waabmaanaa/
ka-o-waabmaanaa.
WO Naazibiing ningii-mikawaa
waa asin.
SC Nik-wanihw peyak nitastis.

Well go and see Big-Joe.

I found this rock down by
the lake.
I lost one of my mittens.

The direct form is also used when the subject is third-person proximate
and the object is third-person obviative. In Ojibwe, the third-person
prefix is used; in Cree, no personal prefix is used.
CO Kina wiya wgii-gnoonaan.
WO Nimaamaa ogii-ozhiaa
iniweniwa azhigana.
SC K-nipahewak mswa otkoshk

aniki npesi
sak.

He talked to everybody.
My mother made these socks.
Those boys killed a moose
last night.

If the subject is first or second person and the object is obviative, the
suffix -(i)m is added before the direct marker in some varieties of
Ojibwe and in Cree.
WO Odeden ningii-waabamimaan.
SC Kikiskenimimwa n ottema.

VERBS

I saw his father.

Do you know his friend?

53

7.32

The inverse marker. The inverse form is used when the subject is
third person and the object is first or second person. The inverse form
uses the same prefix and suffixes as the direct form, but the subject and
object are inverted: the prefix, where required, shows the person of the
object. In Ojibwe, the inverse marker takes the form -(i)go, -(i)gw, or
-(i)g in the ending; in Cree, it appears as -(i)ko or -(i)kw.
CO Manj go pii daabaan gdaa-bsikaag.
WO Wiiba zhebaa igi biiwideg
ningii-mawadisigonaanig.
SC Nipehikonnik neta.

A car could hit you anytime.

Early this morning those
strangers came to visit us.
They are waiting for us over
there.

The inverse form is also used when the subject is third-person obviative
and the object is third-person non-obviative.
CO Jiinaagwa gaa-waabmaajin
nongwa wnandwaabmigoon.
WO Gabe-dibik ogii-noojiigowaa
maiingana.
SC Pap-ntawpamikow htwiya.

7.33

The me-object marker. The me-object form is used when the subject is second person and the object is first person. The personal prefix
indicates the second-person subject. In Ojibwe, the me-object direction marker takes the form -i (which may be deleted in some forms) or
-y, or, in some varieties, -ish; in Cree, -i. In some forms, the last consonant of the stem may change. Other suffixes appear in the ending
along with the me-object direction marker, indicating various categories of the subject and object.
CO Gaa-sh wii gwa gbaamenmisii.
WO Gaawiin ina gibizindawisii.
SC Ka-k-awihin n kotak
kimasinahikanhtik.

7.34

54

The ones he saw yesterday

are looking for him now.
The wolves bothered them
all night.
His father is looking for him.

You are not paying attention

to me.
Dont you listen to me?
Could you lend me your other
pencil?

The you-object marker. The you-object marker is used when the

subject is first person and the object is second person. The personal
prefix indicates the second-person object. In Ojibwe, the you-object

VERBS

marker appears as -(i)n(in); in Cree, as -(i)t. Other suffixes appear in

the ending, indicating various categories of the subject and object.
CO Gga-wiijiiwin./Ka-wiijiiwin.
WO Gigii-wiindamawin.
SC Kik-wpamitinn ihtwinihk
otko shk.

7.35

Inverse and direct markers with indefinite subject. A variant of

the inverse form is used to indicate an indefinite subject with a firstor second-person object. The personal prefix indicates the person of
the object. In Ojibwe, the direction marker for an indefinite subject is
-(i)goo; in Cree, -(i)kawi. The patterns for a third-person object vary;
in some varieties a direct marker is used, as in the Central Ojibwe
example below. The indefinite subject is often translated into English
by an unspecified they or the use of the passive voice.
CO Gii-shamaawag go aanwi.
WO Niwii-mazinaakizogoo.
SC Kik-asamikawin

n say.

7.36

They were fed all right.

They want to take my picture.
Have you been fed already?

Inverse marker with inanimate subject. The inverse marker is

used with a transitive animate stem for an inanimate subject. The
inflectional affixes follow the pattern of the transitive inanimate verb,
except for the substitution of the inverse direction marker for the class
marker. The prefix indicates the object (no personal prefix is used for a
third-person object in Cree). The ending includes reference to the person and number of the object. In Ojibwe, a plural inanimate subject
may also be included in the ending.
CO Wgii-majigon.
WO Ningii-jaagizogon
boodawaanaabik.
SC hkohiko animeniw
natohkononiniw.

7.37

Ill go with you.

I told you.
We saw you in town last night.

It woke him.
The stove burned me.
The medicine makes him sick.

Inflection of the Independent Verb for Tense

One or more tense prefixes may be used to indicate time other than
the present, other ideas relating to the completion of the action, or
such ideas as intention, possibility, or obligation. If a personal prefix is
used, the tense prefix or prefixes follow it. In some varieties of Ojibwe,
the personal prefix blends with the tense prefix, making it difficult to

VERBS

55

distinguish between them. The basic forms of the most common tense
prefixes on independent verbs are given below.
Ojibwe

Cree

gii-/giigada-

kkata-, kata-

wii-/wiidaagii- (rare)

wtk-

CO Wiikwemkong da-zhaa Norma.

WO Ajina niwii-namadab.
SC Nik-wanihiknn iskani-pipon.

completed action (past tense)

future (after a personal prefix)
future (not after a personal
prefix)
desiderative
modal (possibility, obligation)
potential
Norma will go to Wikwemikong.
I want to sit down for a while.
We trapped all winter.

In some varieties of Ojibwe and in Cree, a prefix other than the pasttense prefix may be used with a past-tense negative verb. In Ojibwe,
this prefix takes the form onji-; in Cree, ohci-.
7.38

Inflection of the Independent Verb for Negation

In Ojibwe, negation is expressed by the use of a negative particle at the
beginning of the sentence and a negative suffix in the verb ending. The
suffix is usually -sii(n) or -si(n). In Cree, a negative particle is used,
but the verb has regular inflections.
CO Gaawiin nmino-yaasii.
WO Gaawiin debwe nindanokiisiimin.
SC Mna misikitiwak

aniki
tpiskwsonak.

Im not feeling well.

Were not really working.
Those spools of thread
arent big.

The negative suffix is used even when the negative particle occurs with
another particle or pronoun.
CO Gaawii wiya bkadesii.
WO Gaawiin mashi
ningikinooamaagesii.

7.39

Nobody is hungry.
I havent taught yet.

Inflection of the Independent Verb for Mode

The preterit, dubitative, and preterit-dubitative modes are indicated by
suffixes that appear in the verb ending along with the suffixes relating
to the subject and object. When no mode suffix appears in the ending,
a verb is said to be in the neutral mode.

56

VERBS

7.40

The preterit mode. The preterit mode is used to emphasize completed

action that is, action performed in the past and not continuing into
the present and intended but unrealized action. The verb ending
includes a preterit suffix: -ba(n) in Ojibwe, -pan or -ht(ay) in Cree.
CO Gewiinwaa go gii-zhaabniig oodi.

They should have gone

there, too.
WO Miziwe ningii-babaa-ayaanaaban. I had been all over the place.
SC Oski-k

siknipan,

k-peci-ayamihit. It was Monday that he came

and called me on the phone.

7.41

The dubitative mode. The dubitative mode is used to emphasize

doubt or uncertainty about the action or state expressed by the verb. The
verb ending includes a dubitative suffix: -dig(en) for Central Ojibwe,
-dog(en) for Western Ojibwe, and -tik(wen)/-tok(wen) for Cree.
CO Baawting go yaadig nongwa.
WO Ogii-meshkwadoonaanaadog
awiya oowe mazinaiganens.
SC Niptikwenak kiypic.

7.42

The preterit-dubitative mode. The preterit-dubitative mode is used

to emphasize uncertainty about past action or events for example,
doubt concerning the reliability of reported events or inferences made
from uncertain evidence. It is also used to refer to events known from
traditional accounts. The verb ending includes preterit-dubitative
suffixes, which incorporate a preterit suffix.
CO Niibna kwa wzhitoowaagba
nishnaabeg ziisbaakwad
wi pii.
WO Gii-ozhaashishinogoban.
SC Mitoni misiwe k-niskipotekopan.

7.43

He must be in Sault Ste. Marie

today.
Somebody must have cashed
this cheque.
They must still be sleeping.

It is said that the Native people

used to make a lot of maple
sugar in those days.
He must have slipped.
It must all have been completely
flooded.

The Conjunct Order

As with independent-order verbs, it is the way a verb is used that
determines whether or not it is in the conjunct order. When a verb is
used in a subordinate clause or when, in a main clause, it is joined to

VERBS

57

certain other words for example, question words such as when, who,
where it falls into the conjunct or joined-together order.
Although tense prefixes occur as in the independent order, personal
prefixes are not used in the conjunct order. The suffixes in the verb
ending indicate the subject of an intransitive verb and both the subject
and object of a transitive verb. The endings may also include suffixes for
the same modes that are used in the independent order. In some varieties of Ojibwe, they may also include negative suffixes.
In Cree, conjunct verbs appear in the subjunctive with a modified
conjunct ending to indicate unrealized events. In some varieties of
Ojibwe, conjunct verbs may appear in participle form; in this form, the
suffixes for subject and object may differ from those normally used in
the conjunct order.
Certain constructions, including participles in Ojibwe, use the
changed conjunct, in which the vowel of the first syllable of the verb (this
may be in the verb stem or it may be a prefix or preverb) is changed
according to a regular pattern. The constructions that require the
changed conjunct and the extent to which the mechanism, also referred
to as the process of initial change, is applied vary from dialect to dialect.
The basic pattern of the conjunct verb is:
initial change + tense prefix(es) + VERB STEM + conjunct ending
or
subordinating
prefix(es)

7.44

Uses of the Conjunct Verb

Conjunct verbs are found most often in content questions, after predicators, and in subordinate clauses, including adverbial clauses, verb
complement clauses, and relative clauses.
It should be pointed out that the conjunct order is used for a variety
of purposes in the different Native languages, so that the uses presented
here should be seen not as an exhaustive survey but rather as a guide to
the most common uses of the conjunct order.

7.45

58

Content questions. Content questions, or questions beginning with a

question word such as who, where, or what, normally require the conjunct
order form of the verb. The examples in this section illustrate the main
types of content questions.

VERBS

7.46

Questions with interrogative pronoun. In this type of question, a noun

phrase, represented by the interrogative pronoun, is the focus of a
question.
CO Wenesh gaa-waabmik.
WO Awenenan gaa-mawadisaad
aakoziiwigamigong.
SC Kekwn w-mciyan.

7.47

Questions with interrogative adverb. In this type of question, an interrogative adverb is linked to the conjunct verb to ask a question concerning
the location, time, or nature of an act or event. The verb often contains
a relative root or prefix.
CO Aabiish ezhaayin.
WO Aan enakamigak agwajiing.

SC Tnispiy k-takosihkik.

7.48

Who saw you?

Whom did he visit in the
hospital?
What do you want to eat?

Where are you going?

Whats going on outside?
(literally How is the action
going outside?)
When did they arrive?

Questions with interrogative word asking for a reason. In this type of

question, an interrogative word is linked to the verb prefix or root from
to ask a question concerning the reason for an act or event.
CO Aaniish gaa-nji-gnoonind.
WO Wegonen wenji-inishiyin.
SC Kekwn wehci-phpiyan.

Why were they speaking to him?

Why are you saying that to me?
Why are you laughing?

7.49

Dubitative statements. In Ojibwe, dubitative statements beginning

with a dubitative word statements that express doubt or uncertainty
about the identity or location of a person or thing, the location or time
of an event, etc. require the conjunct-order form of the verb. The
conjunct verb in this type of statement is usually in the dubitative mode.

7.50

Dubitative statements with dubitative pronoun. In this type of statement,

the conjunct verb is linked to a dubitative pronoun to express doubt or
uncertainty about the identity of a person or thing.
CO Wegwen maa gaa-bi-zhaagwenh.
WO Awegwen gaa-gidamwaagwen
nimbakwezhiganiman.

VERBS

I wonder who came here.

I wonder who ate up my
bannock.

59

7.51

Dubitative statements with dubitative adverb. In this type of statement,

the conjunct verb is linked to a dubitative adverb to express doubt or
uncertainty about location, time, or manner.
CO Dbi iidig tegwenh nwiiwkwaan.
WO Amanj enendamogwen noongom
nimaamaa.

I wonder where my hat is.

I wonder what my mother
thinks (literally how my
mother is thinking).

7.52

Clauses with predicator. Verbs used in clauses introduced by a

predicator are usually in the conjunct order.

7.53

Clauses with focus word. In Ojibwe, the verb in a clause introduced

by a focus word is in the conjunct order unless a negative particle is
present.
CO Mii wiya gaa-kidod.
WO Amii e-gichi-anokiid enaak John.

7.54

Clauses with other predicators. Certain other particles may serve as

predicators and introduce a clause with a conjunct-order verb.
CO Pane gaa-ni-maajaad.
WO Booch igo gaa-izhi-odaapinang.
SC Tnika kimowahk.

7.55

60

And finally he went.

And still he went and picked
it up.
I wish it would rain.

Complement clauses. Some verbs, notably verbs of speaking, thinking, and feeling, can be complemented by a clause containing a conjunct verb.
CO Nzegiz wii-niiskaadak.
WO Ningikenimaag e-aakoziwaad.
SC Minwenihtam e-patisit.

7.56

Thats what somebody said.

This is the first time that John
is working hard.

Im afraid there will be a storm.

I know they are sick.
Hes happy to work.

Adverbial subordinate clauses. Some subordinate clauses take on

an adverbial function to specify time, location, or manner.

VERBS

7.57

Adverbial clauses of time. Adverbial clauses of time perform the function

of an adverb of time, restricting the focus of verbal action in the main
clause to a specific period or point in time. Adverbial clauses are often
introduced by a grammatical particle or by one or more tense or subordinating prefixes. In the examples that follow, the adverbial clauses of
time are underlined.
CO Megwaa nbaayaanh,
gii-bi-dgoshin.
WO Gego zaagaangen
jibwaa-dagoshinaan.
SC Nippa kata-natawi-patisiw
ke-wpaninik.

7.58

SC Pakitina ek atimwak
ke-isi-otinahkik.

Its where I used to sleep.

Im going to his place
(literally Im going where
he lives).
Put it where the dogs wont
be able to get it.

Conditional clauses. Conditional clauses state a condition that restricts

the action of the verb in the main clause. Conditional clauses often
occur with the conjunction giishpin/kisspin and in Cree normally
require the subjunctive mode. In the examples below, the conditional
clauses are underlined.
CO Giishpin nendman, mii go oodi
ge-zhaaying.
WO Waabamagiban,
nindaa-gii-giiwe-dibaamawaa.
SC Mna kika-psinnaw cmnihk
ntihke.

VERBS

My father will go to work

tomorrow.

Adverbial clauses of place. Adverbial clauses of place, also called locative

clauses, perform the function of an adverb of place or a locative noun.
The verb may be introduced by a tense or subordinating prefix and
usually has a relative root or prefix. In the examples that follow, the
adverbial clauses of place are underlined.
CO Enji-nbaayaanh kwa gii-te wi.
WO Gaa-izhi-daad nindizhaa.

7.59

She arrived while I was

sleeping.
Dont go outside until I arrive.

If you agree, well go.

If I had seen him, I would
have paid him back.
Were not going to go in the
boat if it is windy.

61

7.60

Clauses of purpose. Clauses of purpose or result describe the goal or

outcome of the action specified in the main clause. Clauses of purpose
usually contain a future or subordinating preverb. In the following
examples, the clauses of purpose are underlined.
CO Weweni wiisnin
ji-mno-bmaadziyan.
WO Niwii-gagwejimaa awiya
ji-ozhibiiiged.
SC Mcishkan ek ci- swateyan

metaweyan.

7.61

Relative clauses. Relative clauses modify nouns (they describe or say

something about the noun that identifies it) or they function themselves
as noun phrases. In many varieties of Cree and Ojibwe, the verb in a
relative clause is introduced by a subordinating prefix gaa- in Ojibwe,
k- in Cree, for example. In some varieties of Ojibwe, the verb in a relative clause is a participle. In the first set of examples below, the relative
clauses modify nouns; in the second set, they serve as noun phrases. In
both sets of examples, the relative clauses are underlined.
CO Biidoon wi mechaag mzinigan.
WO Awe sa bineshiinzh gabenaagosh
gaa-noondaagozid gii-maajiise.
SC Osm mka aniki awsi
sak

pisi
sik
k-metawecik
niht-ayeskosiwak.

Bring that big book!

The bird thats been chirping
all evening flew away.
Children who play all the time
get tired easily.

CO Nwii-shamaag nyaadmaagejig.

Ill feed the helpers (literally

those who have helped).
Those of us who work on the
Native language come from
all over.
I ate what you brought.

WO Anishinaabemowin
gaa-anokaadamaang
miziwe nindoonjiimin.
SC Nik-mcin k-k-petyan.

7.62

Eat properly so you will be

healthy.
I want to ask someone to
take notes.
Eat so you wont be hungry
when you play.

Inflection of the Conjunct Verb for Subject and Object

Conjunct-order verbs have the same range of subject-object combinations
as independent verbs, but no personal prefixes are used; all grammatical
information concerning subjects and objects is conveyed by suffixes.
As with the independent order, paradigms of inflectional endings for
various verb types are not given here; the many variations among local

62

VERBS

forms of Ojibwe and Cree make these of limited usefulness. Rather,

teachers are encouraged to compile their own verb charts using local
forms of inflectional endings. Blank charts and detailed instructions
are provided for this purpose in the Appendix to this document
(see pp. 93117).
7.63

Animate intransitive conjunct inflection. The animate subject

of an animate intransitive verb can be first, second, or third person and
singular or plural. If the subject is third person, it may be obviative.
The subject of an animate intransitive verb may also be indefinite. The
subject is indicated in the ending.
CO Ngii-kenmaa aakzid.
WO Aandi gaa-bi-onjiiwaad
gimishoomisag.
SC Pwstawi-mcisowak pisi
sik

e-nipcik.

I know she is sick.

Where did your grandfathers
come here from?
As they sleep in all the time,
they eat late.

The object of an animate intransitive verb (VAI+O) is not expressed in

the verb ending. Thus animate intransitive verbs with objects have the
same endings as the more common animate intransitive verbs that only
have subjects.
7.64

Inanimate intransitive conjunct inflection. The third-person inanimate subject of an inanimate intransitive verb is shown in the ending.
CO Aabiish teg mkakoon.
WO Ambegish gimiwang.
SC Kecikopanihtww e-misniki

omaskisina.

7.65

Transitive inanimate conjunct inflection. The animate subject of a

transitive inanimate verb is indicated in the ending; the number of the
object is usually not indicated. The appropriate class marker appears at
the beginning of the ending. The suffixes for the subject are the same as
those for the animate intransitive verb.
CO Aaniish pii waa-wezhtooyan wi
shkwaandem.
WO Giishpin andawendaman gegoon,
bizaan igo wiindamawishinaan.
SC Tnte k-ohtinahk ma
masinahikan.

VERBS

Where are the boxes?

I wish it would rain.
As his shoes are too big,
he keeps losing them.

When are you going to fix the

door?
If you want anything, just
tell us.
Where did he get this book?

63

VAI2 verbs follow the same pattern and are indistinguishable in form
from transitive inanimate verbs with an -am class marker.
CO Aaniish pii gaa-zaagang.
WO Aan enendaman noongom
gaa-giizhigak.
SC Nipehtaww e-ostostotahk.

When did he go out?

What are you thinking today?
I hear him coughing.

7.66

Transitive animate conjunct inflection. As in the independent

order, the subject and object can be first, second, or third person and
singular or plural. A third-person subject or object may be obviative. If
both the subject and object are third person, at least one of them must
be obviative. The subject may also be inanimate (singular or plural) or
indefinite. One or more suffixes in the ending specify the subject or the
object, or both.
The subject and object cannot refer to the same person; thus there
are no forms for an inclusive plural subject with a second-person
object, as both of these would include the same person, the listener.
In many forms a direction marker appears at the beginning of the
ending. The functions of the direction markers differ slightly from
those seen in the independent verb.

7.67

The direct marker. The direct form is used with a first- or secondperson subject and third-person object, but the direct marker itself does
not appear in the neutral verb when the suffix for the subject and/or
object immediately follows.
CO Begish waabmag.
WO Giishpin noondawangidwaa
gidochigewininiwag,
gii-dagoshinoog iinzan.
SC Kipehttin e-ayamihat.

I wish I could see her.

If we hear the musicians, it
means they have arrived.
I hear you talking to her.

The direct marker (aa in Ojibwe, in Cree) is used when the subject is
third-person non-obviative and the object is third-person obviative.
CO Aabiish gaa-mkawaawaad.
WO Amiii dash iinzan gaa-inaad,
Daga ingoji omaa.
SC Kekt k-wanikiskisiw ci-kihciwint
opanacsa.

64

Where did they find him?

Then he apparently said to
him, Get away from here!
He almost forgot to take his
pants with him.

VERBS

7.68

The inverse marker. In most varieties of Cree and Ojibwe spoken in

Ontario, the basic inverse marker is used in the conjunct order only
when the subject is third-person obviative and the object is third-person
non-obviative.
CO Miish niwi oosan
gaa-wiindmaagod.
WO Gii-minwendamoog
e-gii-gikenimigowaad.
SC Kwayask kanawenimikot
kata-minopanpan.

7.69

The me-object marker. In most varieties of Cree and Ojibwe spoken

in Ontario, the me-object form is used when the object is first person;
the subject is either first or third person. The me-object marker usually
takes the form -i in both Ojibwe and Cree, but may appear as -ish in
some varieties of Ojibwe.
CO Giishpin naadmawyeg wewiib
gdaa-giizhiitaami.
WO Wegonen gaa-biidamawishiyan.
SC Oski-k

siknpan

k-peci-ayamihit.

7.70

VERBS

If you (plural) help me, we can

finish in a hurry.
What did you bring me?
It was on Monday that he
came and talked to me.

The you-object marker. In most varieties of Cree and Ojibwe spoken

in Ontario, the you-object form is used when the object is second
person; the subject is either first or third person.
CO Wenesh gaa-waabmik.
WO Aaniindi gaa-izhiwinik.
SC Mna kipehtawin e-tepwtitn.

7.71

Then his father told him

about it.
They were happy that she
had known them.
If he is well looked after by
him, it will be okay.

Who saw you?

Where did he take you?
You didnt hear me when I
called you.

Inverse and direct markers with indefinite subject. As with the

independent verb, a variant of the inverse form is used to indicate an
indefinite subject with a first- or second-person object. The other parts
of the ending are the same as for an animate intransitive verb. The

65

direct marker is used with a third-person object, but is deleted in the

neutral mode.
CO Aaniipiish gaa-miingooyan.
WO Ningikenimaa e-gii-waabamind.
SC Kikihci-hkosihtay ta
k-pesikawiyan.

7.72

When was it given to you?

I know he was seen.
You were really sick when
you were brought here.

Inverse marker with inanimate subject. The inverse marker is used

to indicate an inanimate subject; the object is indicated in the ending
with an animate intransitive suffix.
CO Gaa wiikaa biiskanziinan ni
shki-mkiznan e-wiisgikaagod.
WO Wegonen gaa-maanishkaagod.
SC Nikiskenihten e-k-hkohikoyn.

7.73

She never wears those shoes

as they hurt her feet.
What disagreed with him?
I know that it is making me sick.

Inflection of the Conjunct Verb for Tense

One or more tense prefixes may be used to indicate time other than the
present, other ideas relating to the completion of the action, or such
ideas as intention, possibility, or obligation. If the tense prefix is the first
element of a verb, it may undergo initial change. The most common
forms of the tense prefixes used with conjunct verbs are given below.
Unchanged

With Initial Change

Ojibwe
completed action (past tense)
future/modal
desiderative

gii-/giijiwii-/wii-

gaa-/gaagewaa-/waa-

Cree
completed action (past tense)

k-

kici-, ci,
w-

ke-

future/modal
desiderative

66

w-

VERBS

7.74

Inflection of the Conjunct Verb for Negation

In Ojibwe, conjunct verbs may be negative. The ending of a negative
conjunct verb includes the negative suffixes -w (which is often deleted)
and -si(i); a negative particle is not required.
CO Ngii-wiindmaagoo wii-miijsiwaanh I was told not to eat that.
wi.
WO Gii-giizisekwesig, gaawiin wiisinisii. When he doesnt cook, he
doesnt eat.

7.75

Inflection of the Conjunct Verb for Mode

The preterit, dubitative, and preterit-dubitative modes are indicated by
suffixes in the ending of the verb. The other suffixes, such as those indicating the grammatical categories of the subject and/or object, negation, etc., may take different forms in the endings. When no mode
suffix appears in the ending, a verb is said to be in the neutral mode.

7.76

The preterit mode. The preterit mode is used to emphasize completed

action (action performed in the past and not continuing into the present) and intended but unrealized action. The verb ending includes the
preterit suffix -ba(a)(n) (Ojibwe) or -pan/-pn (Cree).
CO Giishpin waabminaambaa
gdaa-gii-wiindmoon.
WO Mii iwidi gaa-izhaayaambaan apii
noondamaan e-gii-dagoshinan.
SC Nik-wanikiskisin e-w-petypn
nimasinahikan.

7.77

The dubitative mode. The dubitative mode is used to emphasize

doubt or uncertainty about an action or event. The verb ending
includes the dubitative suffixes -w and -en/-enh (Ojibwe) or -e (Cree).
CO Manj iidig gaa-kidgwenh.
WO Awegwen gaa-gidamwaagwen
nimbakwezhiganiman.
SC Tni piko k-ksihtwne.

VERBS

If I had seen you, I would

have told you.
Thats where I went as soon
as I heard that you had
arrived.
I forgot I was going to bring
my book.

I wonder what he said.

I wonder who ate up my
bannock.
I dont know whether I finished
it or not.

67

7.78

The preterit-dubitative mode. The preterit-dubitative mode is used

to emphasize uncertainty about past action or events, especially in
reporting inferences made from uncertain evidence or things known
from traditional accounts. The ending includes both preterit and dubitative suffixes.
CO Mii iidig maa gaa-taawaagbanenh
chi-zhaazhi.
WO Amii iinzan imaa gaa-dazhimanoominikegobanen.
SC Tnika ite esinihktekopane

weskac.

7.79

Thats where they must have

lived a long time ago.
Thats where he must have
once made rice.
I wonder what it was called
long ago.

Inflection of the Subjunctive Conjunct Verb

In Cree, the subjunctive verb is used in conditional clauses. Every conjunct verb has a corresponding subjunctive form, which is usually indicated by the addition of the suffix -e to the conjunct ending.
SC Mna kika-psinnaw cmnihk
ntihke.

7.80

Were not going to go in the

boat if it is windy.

Process of Initial Change

In some varieties of Ojibwe and Cree, the verb undergoes a process of
initial change in certain grammatical constructions. This process, when it
applies, causes the first vowel in the verb to change. The change affects
the first syllable of the first prefix, if there is one in the verb, or the first
syllable of the stem, if there is no prefix in the verb. The regular pattern
of initial change for one variety of each language is given below.
Unchanged
CO a
i
o
aa
e
ii
oo

Changed
e
e
we
ayaa
aye
aa
waa

WO In some Western dialects, the change is made as in Central Ojibwe;

in others, the long vowels do not undergo the change.

68

VERBS

Unchanged
SC a
i
o

7.81

Changed
e
e
we
iy
iye

Subordinating Prefixes
Subordinating prefixes only appear on conjunct verbs and mark the verb
as being in a particular kind of subordinate clause. Sometimes subordinating prefixes combine with tense prefixes. Among the most common
subordinating prefixes (except in varieties of Central Ojibwe) are the
timeless (or aorist ) prefix e- and the relativizer prefix gaa- (Ojibwe)
or k- (Cree).

VERBS

69

8
STEM FORMATION

8.1

Introduction
The nouns and verbs of Cree and Ojibwe typically consist of a word
stem and inflectional affixes, which surround the stem:
inflectional prefixes + WORD STEM + inflectional suffixes

The stem, or core part of a word, carries the basic meaning or meanings
of the word; the inflections show grammatical ideas and relationships.
Many word stems are made up of smaller word parts. Some of
these parts are themselves words or word stems; others do not constitute word stems themselves, but appear again and again in different
word stems, each time adding a particular meaning to the underlying
stem. For example, all of the stems in the words below have a meaning
that includes the idea of through, and all of them have an element in
common:
CO zhaabwaakde
zhaabwaate
WO zhaabonigan
SC spocihceniw

spo
skawew

it is burned through
light filters through
needle
he/she puts his/her hand through
he/she goes right through them
(goes through the crowd)

A particular group of sounds (zhaabw- or zhaabo- in Ojibwe, s poin Cree) appears in these and many other stems that include the idea of
through. The sound group does not constitute a word or a word stem by
itself. Because this sound group is often associated with the meaning
through, the meaning can be said to be attached to the sound group,

70

which in turn can be considered a stem-forming element. This particular element typically occurs as the first element of a word stem.
Many Cree and Ojibwe words are made up of similar elements that
act as building blocks in word stems. Each such element contains a particular group of sounds (which may vary in pronunciation depending
on how it fits with other elements) and has a particular meaning or
function and (usually) a particular position inside a stem. Word stems
made up of such elements can also serve as building blocks in other
stems, and these in turn inside others. Every time a stem-building element is added to another element or to a word stem, a meaning or
function is added or changed and a new stem is created.
The process of assembling or building stems out of such elements or
out of existing word stems is called derivation. There are three main ways
of assembling word stems: by primary derivation, by secondary derivation,
and through composition.
A stem formed by primary derivation, called a primary stem, is made
up of one or more elements that are not word stems themselves. A stem
formed by secondary derivation, called a secondary stem, is made up of
an underlying word stem and at least one stem-building element. A
stem formed through composition, known as a compound stem, contains
a relatively independent element, such as a word stem or a preverb or
prenoun that resembles an adverb or other particle, and a word stem. A
verb stem may also be modified in meaning by a process of reduplication,
in which a prefix, the form of which depends on the sounds in the first
syllable of the stem, is added to the front of the stem.
The patterns of stem derivation are not as regular as those of
inflection, which, with very few exceptions, follow established rules.
Word stems belonging to a particular word class will usually follow the
pattern of inflections established for that word class. The patterns of
derivation, however, are both more complex and more varied. Small
groups of word stems will follow a common pattern, but, even within
these small groups, many exceptions will occur.
A teacher of Native languages has remarked that studying the stembuilding elements of Native languages and the patterns by which they
are put together is like studying the thought pattern of the languages.
As important as inflection is to the operation of the languages, it is in
derivation that the distinctive and meaningful core of the languages is
most apparent. In examining the composition of word stems, we are looking at very old but still creative and changing aspects of the languages. To
become really fluent in Cree or Ojibwe, a student has to learn to understand and to make up new combinations of stem-building elements and to
do so in accordance with the established patterns of the language.

STEM FORMATION

71

Because some stem-building elements occur frequently and are easy

to identify, teachers might be tempted to break all of the word stems
they teach down into elements or other words. This may prove a tricky
and even dangerous practice, since there are many elements that are
pronounced in the same way as, or that sound similar to, other elements, but that have different meanings or positions. Breaking down
stems into their elements and analysing them and describing the patterns of stem formation can often be a complex process, and teachers
should make sure that their explanation and patterns apply to more
than one stem before using them in class.
There is still much to be learned about derivation, the sounds of
the stem-forming elements, their patterns of arrangement, their meanings, and their history. This section on stem formation is intended primarily to introduce teachers of the Native languages to one way of
looking at these elements and their patterns. Consequently, it should be
noted that only the most basic kinds of stem-building patterns are discussed here, and that there are many other types of elements and patterns that are not dealt with. Most important, teachers should keep in
mind that using a wide variety of stems in real words and sentences is
often a better way to teach them than just analysing or explaining
them.
In this discussion of derivation, the word stems given as examples
appear in fully inflected forms; uninflected forms appear odd and are
hard to pronounce or recognize as being part of Cree or Ojibwe. In most
cases, they are given in relatively simple inflected forms, and as often as
possible in forms that contain no overt inflectional affix, or only one.
Thus nouns are given, where possible, in the singular form, and verbs
are given in the independent order with a third-person subject, or a
third-person subject and object, because the inflectional affixes in these
forms are not very prominent, often being in the zero form. The stems
in the words under discussion are underlined. When a particular element
of the stem is under discussion, that element is underlined twice.
When stems or stem-building elements are identified in the text,
they are preceded (for suffixes) or followed (for prefixes and stems) by a
hyphen to indicate that they are not full words, but only parts of words.
In writing such elements, the connective sounds that may appear
between elements when they are assembled into stems are usually omitted. There are several other pronunciation rules whose function is to
adjust the sounds of elements and stems when they are put together,
which are not discussed in this outline. It should also be noted that in
Central Ojibwe the pronunciation rule called syncope often causes
vowels to be dropped, so that the pattern of vowels in a given element
will vary according to the position of the element in the word in which
it appears.

72

STEM FORMATION

8.2

Verb Stems

8.3

Primary Verb Stems

8.4

Primary Verb Stems With Two Elements

A primary verb stem is one that contains no other word stems inside it.
Many primary verb stems have two identifiable elements, neither of
which is a word stem itself. The first element is called an initial and the
second element is called a final in accordance with their relative positions.
Various kinds of elements can serve as initials in stems; in a primary stem,
the initial is a root.
INITIAL + FINAL
(root)

For example, in the stem of the word most commonly translated as runs,
there are actually two elements an initial root conveying direction
(by, past, or along ) and a final identifying the action (run ).
CO bmibtoo
WO bimibatoo
SC pimipahtw

8.5

he/she runs by, along

Identifying stem-building elements. It is not possible to determine

the composition of a particular word stem by looking at that stem in
isolation. In other words, one cannot distinguish the various parts that
make up the stem of a word or determine their meaning by looking at
the one word alone. To discover the patterns of derivation, one must
compare words that are in some way related in meaning in order to see
if they also have a distinctive group of sounds in common (even if these
are pronounced slightly differently owing to pronunciation rules). When
such a group of sounds (or related sounds) is found to recur in a group
of stems that are related in meaning, the group of sounds is identified
with the meaning and is considered a stem-building element. For
example, if one looks at several verbs that share the meaning run (it is
important to determine that they are, in fact, different stems and not
just different inflected forms of a single stem), one finds that a particular
group of sounds recurs in each stem.
CO bmibtoo
gshkibtoo
bgambatoo
WO bimibatoo
onjibatoo
bejibatoo

STEM FORMATION

he/she runs by, along

he/she is able to run
he/she arrives running
he/she runs by, along
he/she runs from a certain place
he/she runs slowly

73

SC pimipahtw

he/she runs by, along

takopahtw

he/she arrives running

knikwnipahtw

he/she runs in a circle

The recurring group of sounds in the verbs that share the meaning run
can be identified as a stem-building element. Since this common element appears at the end of the stem, it is called a final.
CO -btoo, -batoo
WO -batoo
SC -paht

run

In this process of analysis and discovery, the identification of each element should be verified by examining as many different stems as possible that are related in meaning. The sounds, the meaning, and the
relative position of the stem-building element should be the same or
similar in each stem. For example, in some instances, one may find that
two different elements are pronounced the same way but have different
meanings.
This method of analysing families of stems that are related in
meaning and form can also be used to identify the root of the stems.
For example, if one examines the stems below, which are related in
meaning and share the same group of sounds, one can identify three
different roots, one in each language.
CO bgambatoo
bgamse
WO bejibatoo
bedose
SC knikwnipahtw
knikwnohtew

he/she arrives running

he/she arrives walking
he/she runs slowly
he/she walks slowly
he/she runs in a circle
he/she walks in a circle

Analysis of the same group of stems also reveals a new final in each
language.
CO -se
WO -ose
SC -ohte

74

walk

STEM FORMATION

The list of stems above also presents examples of the way sounds in an
element may change when they combine with other elements. In the
Western Ojibwe word bejibatoo (runs slowly), the two elements are
joined by a connective i necessitated by a pronunciation rule. The root
ends in j when it appears in front of this connective, but otherwise ends
in d, as in the stem bedose (walks slowly). The same connective appears
in the Cree word knikwnipahtw (runs in a circle), but here the use
of the connective does not result in any sound changes in the root.
Many of these kinds of variations are determined by regular pronunciation rules that are not discussed in this outline.
8.6

The meanings of roots and finals. Many roots can be translated by

adjectives or adverbs in English; others call for the use of a different
verb; still others have no single-word equivalent. The following list of
English words and phrases is intended to give some indication of the
variety of concepts and ideas that can be conveyed by roots in Cree and
Ojibwe: good; up against something; sticky; fast; flat; cold; testing; in plain
view; five; in a certain place; sticking out of a surface; in a certain manner.
Verb finals usually identify a state, process, or action, and can often
be translated in English by verbs or by phrases that describe the means
by which an action or event comes about. The list below gives some
indication of the variety of ideas that can be conveyed by distinct finals
in Cree and Ojibwe: be; grow; blown by wind; with a tool; by heat; fly;
stand; by mouth; by cutting with blade.
The final not only adds a certain meaning to the verb stem, but
also determines whether the word is a noun or a verb. If the word is a
verb, the final often determines its class whether it is animate intransitive, transitive animate, or one of the other verb types. Verb types are
often paired by transitivity and gender; that is, animate intransitive verbs
are paired with inanimate intransitive verbs, and transitive animate verbs
are paired with their transitive inanimate counterparts. The difference
between an animate intransitive verb and its inanimate intransitive
counterpart usually lies in their finals, as may be seen in the following
pairs:
CO mskwaa
mskozi
WO jaagide
jaagizo
SC pahkihtin
pahkisin

STEM FORMATION

it (inanimate) is red
it (animate) is red
it (inanimate) burns
it (animate) burns
it (inanimate) falls
it (animate) falls

75

Similarly, the difference between transitive animate verbs and their transitive inanimate counterparts lies in their finals. In the three sets of
transitive inanimate verbs below, the root through appears with several
finals, each indicating a difference in the manner in which the action of
the verb to go through is carried out:
CO wzhaabshkaan
WO ozhaaboshkaan
SC sposkam

he/she goes through it with

foot or body

CO wzhaabgaaan
WO ozhaabogaaan
SC spokaham

he/she chops through it (literally

he/she goes through it by
chopping)

CO wzhaabnaan
WO ozhaabonaan
SC sponam

he/she goes through it by using the

hand (as in putting a needle
through cloth)

In the transitive animate counterparts of these verbs, some slight

differences may be observed in the finals. In the first two cases below,
something has been added to the finals that appeared in the transitive
inanimate verbs; in the last case, the final is the same as that in the
transitive inanimate verb.
CO wzhaabshkawaan
WO ozhaaboshkawaan/
ozhaaboshkawaa
SC sposkawew

he/she goes through him/her/them

(or some animate thing) with foot
or body (as in getting through a
crowd)

CO wzaabgawaan
WO ozhaabogawaan
SC spokahwew

he/she goes through it (some

animate thing) by chopping

CO wzhaabnaan
WO ozhaabonaan
SC sponew

he/she goes through it (some

animate thing) by using the hand

Some roots and finals may themselves consist of smaller parts.

76

STEM FORMATION

8.7

Primary Verb Stems With Three Elements

Some primary stems are composed of three elements a root that serves
as the initial, an intervening element called a medial, and the final. One
or more medials may appear between the root initial and the final.
INITIAL + MEDIAL(S) + FINAL
(root)

8.8

Medials. Medials usually refer to things or kinds of things and may be

divided into several groups.

8.9

Classificatory medials. Many medials loosely describe or classify the

thing associated with the verb and are consequently called classifiers. In
each of the following Central Ojibwe examples, the medial gives some
indication of the nature of the thing that is the subject of the verb:
CO gnwegad
gnwaabiigad
gnwaabkad
gnwaakwad/gnwaakod

it (something sheet-like) is long

it (something string-like) is long
it (something of metal or stone) is
long
it (something of wood or stick-like)
is long

In the preceding list of examples, the roots and the finals are the same;
the medials, however, differ.
INITIAL + MEDIAL(S) + FINAL
(root)
gnw-

-eg-aabiig-aabk-aakw-

-ad

There is a parallel verb without a medial that can be used to describe

any kind of inanimate subject. Note that its final (-aa) differs from the
finals that appeared in the previous examples:
gnwaa

STEM FORMATION

it is long

77

8.10

Body-part medials. Some medials refer to body parts. Thus many verbs
that describe or in some way involve a part of the body contain a
medial that refers to that part of the body. For example, each of the following Western Ojibwe verbs describes a person with a swelling in
some part of the body. In each verb, the medial names the body part.
The final is -e.
WO baagishangwane
baagigaade
baagiingwe

he/she has a swollen nose

he/she has a swollen leg
he/she has a swollen face

As in the previous list of examples (see section 8.9), the roots and finals
remain the same; the body-part medials differ.
INITIAL + MEDIAL(S) + FINAL
(root)
baag-

8.11

-shangwan-gaad-iingw-

Other types of medials. There are many medials that do not fit into the
two groups discussed above. Some, for example, identify natural features. In the following Swampy Cree examples, a single root appears in
three stems one containing a classificatory medial, one containing a
body-part medial, and one containing a medial that identifies a natural
feature.
SC tahkpiskw

8.12

it (something of metal or stone)

is cold

tahkisitew

his/her foot is cold

tahkaskamikw

the ground is cold

Denominal medials. Some verb roots have a noun stem as a medial.

Such medials are called denominal medials. The use of denominal medials
is a form of noun incorporation because the noun stem is taken into
the body of the verb as a medial. The examples below are from Cree:
SC astotin

ketastotinew

78

-e

hat

he/she takes off his/her own hat

STEM FORMATION

SC psiskkan

kecipsiskkanew

coat

he/she takes off his/her own coat

The noun stem may undergo some changes when incorporated. In the
following Western Ojibwe example, the first sound of the noun stem is
dropped when the noun stem is taken into the verb as a denominal
medial:
WO makizin
aandakizine

8.13

moccasin, shoe
he/she changes shoes

Primary Verb Stems With One Element

Some primary stems cannot be broken down into identifiable units that
can be traced in other stems. The following word stem is an example:
CO bi
WO abi
SC apiw

8.14

he/she sits, is at home

Secondary Verb Stems

A secondary stem is made up of an underlying word stem and one or
more stem-building elements. The secondary stem will often belong to
a different word class or type than the original stem and will have a
meaning different from, but related to, that of the original stem.
In a secondary stem, the underlying word stem serves as the initial
and appears with a final. Medials are optional.
INITIAL + MEDIAL(S) + FINAL
(word stem)

Some of the finals used in secondary stems are the same as those used
in primary stems. In the following set of examples, the primary verb
stem go home serves as the initial of a secondary stem with the final run
(underlined twice):
CO giiwe
WO giiwe
SC kwew

STEM FORMATION

he/she goes home

79

CO giiwebtoo
WO giiwebatoo
SC kwepahtw

he/she runs home

There are other finals used in secondary derivation that rarely appear in
primary derivation. For example, -aw or -amaw can be added to a
transitive inanimate stem to form a double-object transitive animate
stem, often with the meaning do (something to) it for him/her.
CO wdoozhtoon
WO wdoozhitoon
SC osihtw

he/she makes it

CO wdoozhtamwaan
WO wdoozhitamawaan
SC osihtamawew

he/she makes it for him/her

Secondary stems can themselves undergo derivation, resulting in chains

of finals in stems. In the Cree example below, the noun stem swp
(store) serves as the initial of a verb having the secondary final
-hke (make, process, gather). The resulting animate intransitive stem,
swpihke-, means go shopping.
swp

store

swpihkew

he/she goes shopping

This stem in turn can be the initial element of a secondary transitive

animate stem having the secondary final -stamaw (which itself probably
has layers of parts). The resulting transitive stem, swpihkestamaw-,
means go shopping for it for him/her.
swpihke

stamawew

he/she goes shopping for it

for him/her

Even further layers are possible. Another final can be added to form a
reflexive intransitive verb, as shown in the example below:
swpihke

stamsow

80

he/she goes shopping for it

for himself/herself

STEM FORMATION

8.15

Secondary Verb Stems With Final Suffixes That

Change Verb Type
Some finals change the verb type of the underlying stem; that is, they
change the relationship between a subject and an object or add a subject or an object. A few common patterns are illustrated below.

8.16

Reciprocal verbs. In a reciprocal verb, an animate intransitive final

suffix is added to an underlying transitive stem to indicate that the
action of the verb is reciprocal or mutual. In Ojibwe, the final suffix of
a reciprocal verb is most often -di-; in Cree, -to-.
CO nnaadmawaa
nnaadmaadmi
WO ozaagiaan
zaagiidiwag
SC ayamihew

I help him/her
we help each other
he/she loves him/her
they love each other
he/she speaks to him/her

ayamihitowak

they speak to each other

The reciprocity of the action is not always obvious in English, as is evident in the translation of the reciprocal verb in this Western Ojibwe
example:
zagasweidiwag

8.17

they have a council meeting

or formal ceremony (literally
they have a mutual smoke)

Reflexive verbs. In a reflexive verb, an animate intransitive final is

added to an underlying transitive stem to indicate that the action of the
verb is directed by the subject at himself or herself. In Ojibwe, the reflexive final suffix in secondary stems is most often -dizo-; in Cree, it is
-tiso- or -so-.
CO wdoodwaan
doodaadzo
WO ogichi-inenimaan
gichi-inenindizo
SC ayamihew
ayamihitisow

STEM FORMATION

he/she does something to him/her

he/she does something to
himself/herself
he/she thinks highly of him/her
he/she thinks highly of
himself/herself
he/she talks to him/her
he/she talks to himself/herself

81

8.18

Transitivized verb stems. In a transitivized verb stem, a transitive

final is added to an underlying verb stem, allowing inflection for an
object or an additional object.
CO wdoozhtoon
wdoozhtamwaan
WO anokii
odanokiitawaan
SC nmiw
nmihew

8.19

masinahikew

he/she shoots it
he/she shoots things
he/she visits him/her
he/she visits people
he/she writes it
he/she writes things

Verbs of undergoing. In an intransitive verb of undergoing a verb

in which the subject undergoes some action by an unspecified agent
an intransitive final is added to an underlying transitive stem. Such
verbs are often translated in English by the passive voice or the use of
an indefinite subject. The finals most often used in such verbs in
Ojibwe are -gaade and -gaazo; in Cree, -kte and -kso.
CO wwaabndaan
waabnjigaazo
WO odoozhibiiaan
ozhibiiigaade
SC kipaham
kipahiktew

82

he/she makes him/her dance

Detransitivized verb stems. In a detransitivized verb stem, an

intransitive final is added to an underlying transitive stem. Such
detransitivized stems eliminate the idea of a specific object by directing
the action of the verb to a generalized goal. The final suffixes in
detransitivized verb stems in Ojibwe are most often -ge and -we; in
Cree, -ke and -we.
CO wbaashkzaan
baashkzige
WO omawadisaan
mawadishiwe
SC masinaham

8.20

he/she makes it
he/she makes it for him/her
he/she works
he/she works for him/her
he/she dances

he/she sees it
he/she is seen; they see him/her
he/she writes (on) it
it is written (on); they write (on) it
he/she closes it up
it is closed up; they close it up

STEM FORMATION

Other finals added to transitive stems contain the inverse direction

marker. The underlying verb usually expresses ideas of perception or
evaluation.
CO wminwendaan
mnwendaagwad/mnwendaagod
WO ogikendaan
gikendaagozi
SC pehtawew
pehtkosiw

8.21

he/she makes himself/

herself heard

Inanimate augment verbs. In some languages, an optional final,

often called the inanimate augment, can be added to an inanimate intransitive stem. The same final can be added to an animate intransitive stem
to form an inanimate intransitive stem when the animate intransitive
verb has no inanimate counterpart. The augment final in Ojibwe is
-mgad, -magad, or -magan; in Cree, -makan. The Central Ojibwe
example illustrates the optional use of this final on an inanimate intransitive stem; the other examples show how it can be added to animate
intransitive stems to form inanimate stems.
CO gzhaate or gzhaatemgad
WO dagoshin
dagoshinoomagan
SC itohtew
itohtemakan

8.22

he/she thinks well of it, likes it

it is well thought of, liked
he/she knows it
he/she is known to. . . , is
suspected of. . .
he/she hears him/her

it is hot weather
he/she arrives
it arrives
he/she goes to a certain place
it goes to a certain place

Secondary Verb Stems With Final Suffixes That

Extend Meaning
Some finals do not change the stem type of the underlying stem, but
extend the meaning of the original verb stem. A few common types are
illustrated in sections 8.23 and 8.24.

STEM FORMATION

83

8.23

Verbs of addiction. A verb of addiction, which is used to indicate a

habitual state or action, often with a negative flavour, is usually formed
by adding an intransitive final suffix to an underlying verb stem. The
final suffix in such verbs in Ojibwe is -shki; in Cree, -ski.
CO gtimi
gtimishki
WO gimoodi
gimoodishki
SC metawew
metaweskiw

8.24

he/she is always just playing

Verbs of pretending. A verb of pretending, which is used to express

the idea that someone is pretending to be or to do something, is usually
formed by adding an intransitive final suffix to an underlying verb stem
or noun stem. The final suffix in such verbs in Ojibwe is -kaazo; in
Cree, -hkso.
CO binoojiinh
binoojiinhkaazo
WO Anishinaabe
Anishinaabekaazo
SC mtow
mthksow

8.25

he/she is reluctant to do something

he/she is habitually lazy
he/she is stealing
he/she is a thief
he/she is playing

child
he/she pretends to be a child
Native person
he/she pretends to be a
Native person
he/she cries
he/she pretends to cry

Secondary Verb Stems With Final Suffixes

That Change Nouns Into Verbs
Some finals change the underlying noun stem into a verb stem. A few
common verb stems of this type are illustrated below.

8.26

Verbs of being. A verb of being can be formed by adding an intransitive final suffix to an underlying noun stem. The most common finals
used are -(w)i and -(w)an. In some language varieties, a construction
using a noun and a separate verb is preferred.
CO nishnaabe
nishnaabewi
WO bingwi
bingwiiwan

84

Native person
he/she is a Native person
ashes
it is covered with ashes
(literally it is ashy)

STEM FORMATION

SC okimw
okimwiw

8.27

boss, manager
he/she is boss or manager

Verbs of diminutive action. In some varieties of Ojibwe and in

Cree, a diminutive verb is used to indicate that an action is performed
on a relatively small scale or that someone small is involved in the
action. In Ojibwe, a diminutive verb can be formed by making the
underlying verb stem into a diminutive noun and adding a suffix for a
verb of being.
CO bmibtoo
bmibtoonswi

he/she runs
he/she runs a little

In Cree, the diminutive verb is formed by adding a suffix (sometimes

considered to be inflectional rather than derivational) to the underlying
verb stem. Some of the sounds in the stem may change when the
diminutive suffix is added; in the example below, the t may be replaced
by c.
SC mtow
mtosiw/mco

siw

8.28

he/she cries
he/she cries a little

Verbs of abundance. A verb of abundance, which is used to express

the idea that the thing referred to in the underlying stem is present or
is present in abundance, can be formed by the addition of a secondary
final to a noun stem (or, less commonly, a verb stem). In Ojibwe, the
final of such verbs is -kaa; in Cree, -sk.
CO zgime
zgimekaa
WO manoomin
manoominikaa
SC ininiw
ininskw

STEM FORMATION

mosquito
there are (a lot of) mosquitoes
wild rice
there is (a lot of) wild rice
person
there are (a lot of) people

85

8.29

Verbs of making or processing. A verb of making or processing

can be formed by the addition of a secondary suffix to a noun stem (or,
less commonly, a verb stem). In Ojibwe, the final is -ke; in Cree, -hke.
CO nboob/mboob
nboobiike/mboobiike
WO jiimaan
jiimaanike
SC maskisin
maskisinihkew

8.30

he/she makes moccasins, shoes

Verbs of possession. A verb of possession can be formed by the addition of a secondary suffix to a possessed noun with a third-person prefix
(and the possessive suffix, if required). The final of such verbs is -i.
CO zhoonyaa
wzhoonyaaman
wzhoonyaami
WO waakaaigan
owaakaaigan
owaakaaigani
SC otpnsk

8.31

soup
he/she makes soup
canoe
he/she makes canoes
moccasin, shoe

money
his/her money
he/she has money
house
his/her house
he/she has a house(s)
skidoo

ottpnskwa

his/her skidoo

ottpnskow

he/she has a skidoo(s)

Compound Verb Stems

Two kinds of stems have traditionally been treated as compounds: stem
compounds and preverb compounds.

8.32

Stem Compounds
A stem compound is formed by the addition of a noun stem or verb
stem to the front of a verb stem. The resulting compound verb stem
extends the meaning of the original verb stem. Inflectional suffixes are
added to the end of the compound stem; most inflectional prefixes are

86

STEM FORMATION

added to the front of the compound stem. The pattern of this kind of
compound verb stem is:
WORD STEM + VERB STEM
(noun or
verb stem)
CO naawkwe
wiisni
naawkwe-wiisni
WO ojiindiwag
giizhigan
ojiindiwi-giizhigan
SC kwew

8.33

it is noon
he/she eats
he/she eats the noon meal
they kiss each other
it is a day
it is New Years Day
he/she returns, goes home

pakitinam

he/she puts it down

kwe-pakitinam

he/she puts it back down

Preverb Compounds
A preverb compound is formed by the addition of a word- or root-like
prefix to a verb stem. As in the stem compounds, the first element of
the compound modifies the verb stem to which it is added. Inflectional
suffixes are added to the end and most prefixes to the front of the compound stem. More than one preverb may appear in a verb. The overall
pattern of this type of compound stem is:
PREVERB(S) + VERB STEM

Some preverbs are word parts that occur only as preverbs; these include
tense and subordinating prefixes, which in this outline have been
treated as inflectional prefixes. Other preverbs are related in form and
meaning to verb roots. A few such preverbs are discussed below.
8.34

Directional preverbs. Directional preverbs indicate direction in

space or time.
CO bi-biindge
WO ando-wiisini
SC peci-otinam

STEM FORMATION

he/she comes inside

he/she goes over to eat
he/she comes and gets it

87

8.35

Relative preverbs. Relative preverbs refer to ideas of manner, place,

number, or other such adverbial ideas, but usually relate these ideas to
specific words or phrases outside the verb. These more specific words or
phrases are said to be the antecedents of the relative preverbs.
CO nji-googii
WO daso-biboonwe

SC isi-apiw

8.36

he/she dives from a certain

place
he/she is of a certain age
(literally he/she is of a
certain number of winters)
he/she sits in a certain place

General preverbs. This group of preverbs includes the most root-like

(or word-like) preverbs, which can express a wide range of meanings.
CO mno-giizhgad
WO midaaso-dibaiganeyaa
SC niht-mtow

it is a nice day
it is ten oclock
he/she cries a lot

In many varieties of Ojibwe, preverbs usually occur in this order: directional preverb, relative preverb, general preverb(s).
8.37

Relationship of preverbs and roots. Many preverbs are the same

or nearly the same in both pronunciation and meaning as verb roots.
The most obvious difference between the two is that when a preverb is
taken out of a verb, the remaining element is still a real word, whereas
when the root is taken out of a word, the remaining element is no
longer a word or word stem and the stem collapses. Thus, in the first
example below, the root izhi- in Western Ojibwe, meaning in a certain
way, to a certain place, is an essential element of the stem and cannot be
taken away. In the second example, its related preverb, which has the
same meaning, is an element that has been added to an existing stem
(bagidin-).
WO nindizhiwidoon
nindizhi-bagidinaan

88

I take it to a certain place

I put it down in a certain place

STEM FORMATION

8.38

Reduplicated Verbs
A reduplicated verb is one in which the first element of a verb stem has
been extended by reduplication a process that adds the idea of repetition, distribution in space or time, or plurality to the original verb stem.
A reduplicated verb is formed by adding a prefix, which in many cases
duplicates some of the sounds in the first syllable of the stem, to the
front of the stem. In Cree and some varieties of Ojibwe, a verb stem
can have more than one pattern of reduplication, and each pattern may
have a different meaning. Translation may vary depending on how a
reduplicated verb is used in a sentence. The reduplication is underlined
with a double rule in the examples below.
CO niimi
naaniimi
WO ozhaashishin
wawizhaashishin
SC nskw
nnskw

he/she dances
he/she dances and dances
he/she slips and falls
he/she slips and falls over and over
it is soft
it is soft all over

Some descriptive verbs may be reduplicated when plural, as illustrated

in the following Cree example:
SC misw

mmiswa

8.39

Noun Stems

8.40

Primary Noun Stems

it is big
they are big

Many noun stems cannot be broken down into identifiable elements

and so are seen as having only one element in the stem.
CO shkode
WO ishkode
SC iskotew

STEM FORMATION

fire

89

A few primary noun stems consist of two elements an initial and a

final. In the example below, a root is followed by a final that means
metal, stone.
CO biiwaabik
WO biiwaabik
SC pwpisk

8.41

iron

Secondary Noun Stems

Many noun stems are derived from verb stems by the addition of a secondary final. The finals used in noun stems generally differ from those
used in verb stems. One or more medials may also occur.
INITIAL + MEDIAL(S) + FINAL
(word stem)

In the examples below, the final is underlined in the noun.

CO baashkzige
baashkzigan
WO wiisini
wiisiniiwigamig
SC pimtisiw
pimtisiwin

he/she shoots
gun
he/she eats
restaurant
he/she lives
life

A noun, even if it is itself a secondary noun, may be the initial element

of a secondary noun stem. The underlying noun in the Central Ojibwe
example is a primary noun; the underlying nouns in the other examples are themselves formed by secondary derivation.
CO niibiish
niibiishaaboo
WO mazinaigan
mazinaiganaak
SC ckahikan
ckahikanhtik

90

leaf
tea
book, document
pencil
axe
axe handle

STEM FORMATION

8.42

Compound Noun Stems

8.43

Stem Compounds
A compound noun stem is composed of a modifying noun or verb
stem and a noun stem. Connective sounds may appear between the two
underlying stems. The pattern of compound noun stems is:
WORD STEM + NOUN STEM
(noun or
verb stem)
CO wiigwaas
makak
wiigwaas-makak
WO aki
mazinaigan
akii-mazinaigan
SC niska

8.44

birch bark
box
birch-bark box
land
book, document
map
Canada goose

psim

sun, month

niski-psim

April

Prenoun Compounds
A prenoun compound is composed of a modifying prenoun and a noun
stem. Many prenouns are identical to preverbs. The pattern of prenoun
compounds is:
PRENOUN(S) + NOUN STEM
CO jiimaan
gchi-jiimaan
WO mazinaakizigan
gete-mazinaakizigan
SC masinahikan
oski-masinahikan

STEM FORMATION

boat
big boat
picture
old-style picture
book
new book

91

APPENDIX
VERB CHARTS

General Instructions for Filling Out the Verb Charts

Before you begin, make copies of the master charts in this document. Write only on the
copies so that the blank master charts can be used to make additional copies as needed.
Start by filling in one set of charts for each main class of verbs (animate intransitive,
inanimate intransitive, etc.), using a single sample stem for each. The immediate imperative and the neutral modes of the independent and conjunct verbs are the easiest charts to
fill in, so it is a good idea to start with these. You can proceed with the other modes when
you are more familiar with the chart forms and more confident in using them.
Check the completed charts with someone who speaks the same variety of the language as you do. As the charts are designed to cover a number of language varieties in
Ontario, no one variety will fit the charts exactly. In other words, you will probably
find that you cannot provide all the forms suggested in the charts either because some
of the forms suggested do not exist in your language or because they are rarely used.
The asterisks in the charts indicate the forms that are likely to occur only in some
language varieties.
The exact form of an ending may vary slightly from one stem to another depending
on the stem class. The stem class is determined by the last or last two sounds of the stem.
For example, animate intransitive stems ending in -n take endings that differ slightly in
form from those of animate intransitive stems that end in a vowel. A list of the most
important stem classes in each main verb class is given for each language, along with the
English translations of sample stems that are likely to belong to each class. Once you have
completed and checked your first charts, you can select stems from different stem classes
and fill out charts for them to see if the endings show different forms.

Ojibwe Verb Charts

For the imperative order, you will need three charts for each sample stem one for the
immediate mode, one for the delayed mode, and one for the prohibitive mode. For the
independent order, you will need eight charts for each sample stem one each for the

93

positive and negative forms in the four modes (neutral, preterit, dubitative, and preterit
dubitative). For the conjunct order, you will need four charts one for each of the four
modes and, if your language has negative conjunct verbs, an additional four charts
one for each of the negative modes. Additional charts may be prepared for relational
verbs and conjunct participles, if either or both of these forms occur in your language.

Stem Classes and Suggested Sample Stems

1. Animate Intransitive Paradigm
VAI i-stems: dance, laugh, get on board
VAI o-stems: sing, see oneself, sweat
VAI aa-stems: get off (disembark), sleep, leave, go to a certain place
VAI e-stems: enter, go home, walk
VAI ii-stems: work, flee
VAI oo-stems: run
VAI n-stems: be lost, fall down
VAI2 stems (with VTI class marker -am): go outside, cough, think so

2. Inanimate Intransitive Paradigm

VII long vowel stems: be big, be flat, be in a certain place
VII o-stems and i-stems (in some varieties these end in -in and -on): be a good
road, be a good liquid
VII d/n-stems (showing -d in some varieties and -n in others): be difficult, taste good
VII n-stems: fall down, be lost, be heavy

3. Transitive Inanimate Paradigm

VTI stems: see something (s.t.), kick s.t., take s.t.
VTI2 stems: use s.t., make s.t., bring s.t.
VTI3 stems (may be different in local language varieties): eat s.t., go get s.t.,
steal s.t.
VTI4 stems (may be different in local language varieties): have s.t., eat all of s.t.
VAI+O (may be different in local language varieties): sell s.t., drink s.t.

94

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

4. Transitive Animate Paradigm

VTA consonant stems: see someone (s.o.), allow s.o. to do s.t., know s.o.
VTA mutating stems: give it to s.o., leave s.o. behind, tie s.o.
VTA Cw-stems: strike s.o., shoot s.t. (animate), untie s.o.
VTA aw-stems: hear s.o., understand s.o., find s.o., make it for s.o.
VTA irregular stems (may be different in local language varieties): eat s.t.
(animate), kill s.t. (animate), say so to s.o., mention s.o.s name, put s.o. there,
be afraid of s.o.

Cree Verb Charts

For the imperative order, you will need two charts for each sample stem one for the
immediate mode and one for the delayed mode. For the independent order, you will
need four charts for each sample stem one for each of the four modes (neutral,
preterit, dubitative, and preterit dubitative). For the conjunct order, you will need four
charts for each sample stem one for each of the modes specified for the independent
order and an additional set of four charts for the subjunctive form of each mode.
Additional charts may be prepared for relational verbs.

Stem Classes and Suggested Sample Stems

1. Animate Intransitive Paradigm
VAI i-stems: dance, laugh, get on board
VAI o-stems: sing, see oneself
VAI aa-stems: get off (disembark), sleep, leave
VAI e-stems: enter, go home, walk, go to a certain place
VAI ii-stems: flee
VAI n-stems: be lost, fall down, be lying down
VAI2 stems (with VTI class marker -am): go outside, cough, think so

2. Inanimate Intransitive Paradigm

VII long vowel stems: be big, be flat, be in a certain place
VII short vowel stems: be a good road, be a good liquid
VII n-stems: be difficult, taste good, fall down, be lost, be heavy

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

95

3. Transitive Inanimate Paradigm

VTI stems: see s.t., kick s.t., take s.t.
VTI2 stems: use s.t., make s.t., bring s.t.

4. Transitive Animate Paradigm

VTA consonant stems: see s.o., allow s.o. to do s.t., know s.o.
VTA mutating stems: call to s.o., leave s.o. behind
VTA Cw-stems: strike s.o., shoot s.t. (animate), untie s.o.
VTA aw-stems: hear s.o., understand s.o., find s.o., make it for s.o.
VTA irregular stems (may be different in local language varieties): eat s.t.
(animate), say so to s.o., put s.o. there, be afraid of s.o., have s.o. (s.t. animate),
accompany s.o.

96

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

Ojibwe Imperative Verb Charts

Codes
1
first-person singular
2
second-person singular
1p first-person exclusive plural
21 first-person inclusive plural
2p second-person plural
*
will appear only in some
language varieties

3
3p
3
3p

third-person singular
third-person plural
animate obviative
animate obviative plural
(Western Ojibwe only)

0
0p
0
0p
X

inanimate singular
inanimate plural
inanimate obviative singular
inanimate obviative plural
indefinite subject

1. Animate intransitive
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Subject
2
2p
21

2. Transitive inanimate
Mode:
Object

Sample Stem:
0/0p

Subject
2
2p
Object

0p

Subject
21

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

97

3. Transitive animate
Mode:
Object

Sample Stem:
3/3p

Subject
2
2p
Object

3p

3p

Subject
21
Object
Subject
2

2p

21

Object

1p

Subject
2
2p
2/2p

98

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

Cree Imperative Verb Charts

Codes
1
2
1p
21
2p

first-person singular
second-person singular
first-person exclusive plural
first-person inclusive plural
second-person plural

3
3p
3

third-person singular
third-person plural
animate obviative

0
0p
0
0p
X

inanimate singular
inanimate plural
inanimate obviative singular
inanimate obviative plural
indefinite subject

1. Animate intransitive
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Subject
2
2p
21

2. Transitive inanimate
Mode:
Object

Sample Stem:
0/0p

Subject
2
2p
21

3. Transitive animate
Mode:
Object

Sample Stem:
3

3p

Subject
2
2p
21

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

99

Object

Subject
2
2p
21
Object

1p

Subject
2
2p
2/2p

100

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

Ojibwe Independent Verb Charts

Codes
1
first-person singular
2
second-person singular
1p first-person exclusive plural
21 first-person inclusive plural
2p second-person plural
*
will appear only in some
language varieties

3
3p
3
3p

third-person singular
third-person plural
animate obviative
animate obviative plural
(Western Objibwe only)

0
0p
0
0p
X

inanimate singular
inanimate plural
inanimate obviative singular
inanimate obviative plural
indefinite subject

1. Animate intransitive
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3
3p *
X

2. Inanimate intransitive
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Subject
0
0p
0
0p

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

101

3. Transitive inanimate
Mode:
Object

Sample Stem:
0

0p

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3

4. Transitive animate
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Direct
Object

3p

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p

102

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

Object

3p

Subject
1

1p

21

2p

Object

3p

Subject
3

3p

3 *

Inverse
Subject

3p

3p

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
Subject
Object
3

3p

Me-object
Object

1p

Subject
2
2p
2/2p

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

103

You-object
Subject

1p

Object
2
2p

Indefinite subject
Subject

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3
3p *

Inanimate subject
Subject

0p

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3
3p *

104

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

Cree Independent Verb Charts

Codes
1
first-person singular
2
second-person singular
1p first-person exclusive plural
21 first-person inclusive plural
2p second-person plural
*
will appear only in some
language varieties

3
3p
3

third-person singular
third-person plural
animate obviative

0
0p
0
0p
X

inanimate singular
inanimate plural
inanimate obviative singular
inanimate obviative plural
indefinite subject

1. Animate intransitive
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3
X

2. Inanimate intransitive
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Subject
0
0p
0
0p

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

105

3. Transitive inanimate
Mode:
Object

Sample Stem:
0/0p

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3

4. Transitive animate
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Direct
Object

3p

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p

106

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

Object

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p
Object

Subject
3
3p
3 *

Inverse
Subject

3p

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
Subject

Object
3
3p

Me-object
Object

1p

Subject
2
Object

1/1p

Subject
2p

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

107

You-object
Subject

1p

Object
2
Subject

1/1p

Object
2p

Indefinite subject
Subject

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3

Inanimate subject
Subject

0/0p

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3

108

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

Ojibwe Conjunct Verb Charts

Codes
1
first-person singular
2
second-person singular
1p first-person exclusive plural
21 first-person inclusive plural
2p second-person plural
*
will appear only in some
language varieties

3
3p
3
3p

third-person singular
third-person plural
animate obviative
animate obviative plural
(Western Ojibwe only)

0
0p
0
0p
X

inanimate singular
inanimate plural
inanimate obviative singular
inanimate obviative plural
indefinite subject

1. Animate intransitive
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3
X

2. Inanimate intransitive
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Subject
0
0p
0 *
0p *

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

109

3. Transitive inanimate
Mode:
Object

Sample Stem:
0/0p

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3

4. Transitive animate
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Direct
Object

3p

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p

110

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

Object

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p
Object

Subject
3
3p
3 *
X

Inverse (with some me- and you-object forms)

Subject

3p

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
Subject

Object
3
3p

Me-object
Object

1p

Subject
2
2p
2/2p

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

111

You-object
Subject

1p

Object
2
2p

Indefinite subject
Subject

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3

Inanimate subject
Subject

0/0p

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3

112

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

Cree Conjunct Verb Charts

Codes
1
first-person singular
2
second-person singular
1p first-person exclusive plural
21 first-person inclusive plural
2p second-person plural
*
will appear only in some
language varieties

3
3p
3

third-person singular
third-person plural
animate obviative

0
0p
0
0p
X

inanimate singular
inanimate plural
inanimate obviative singular
inanimate obviative plural
indefinite subject

1. Animate intransitive
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3
X

2. Inanimate intransitive
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Subject
0
0p
0
0p

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

113

3. Transitive inanimate
Mode:
Object

Sample Stem:
0/0p

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3
X

4. Transitive animate
Mode:

Sample Stem:

Direct
Object

3p

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p

114

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

Object

Subject
1
2
1p
21
2p
Object

Subject
3
3p
3 *

Inverse (with some me- and you-object forms)

Subject

3p

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
Subject

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

115

Me-object
Object

1p

Subject
2
Object

1/1p

Subject
2p

You-object
Subject

1p

Object
2
Subject

1/1p

Object
2p

Indefinite subject
Subject

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3

116

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

Inanimate subject
Subject

0/0p

Object
1
2
1p
21
2p
3
3p
3

APPENDIX: VERB CHARTS

117

INDEX

Abundance, verbs of 8.28

Addiction, verbs of 8.23
Adverbial subordinate clauses 7.5658
Adverbs 1.9, 6.712; dubitative 6.12, 7.51;
interrogative 6.11, 7.47
Affixes, derivational 2.3; inflectional 2.12,
8.1. See also prefixes, suffixes, verb endings
Alternative pronouns 4.4
Animate gender 3.4
Animate intransitive verbs 7.45; inflection of conjunct 7.63; inflection of
imperative 7.15; inflection of independent
7.27; object with 7.7, 7.29
Augment verbs, inanimate 8.21
Basic suffixes 3.3
Being, verbs of 8.26
Body parts, naming of by means of dependent nouns 3.10; naming of by means of
medials 8.10
Categories, grammatical 2.2, 3.37
Changed conjunct 7.43
Class marker suffixes, animate intransitive
7.27; transitive inanimate 7.7, 7.29, 7.65
Classificatory medials 8.9
Classifiers 8.9
Clauses, adverbial, 7.5658; complement
7.55; conditional 7.59; locative 7.58;
purpose 7.60; relative 5.8, 7.61; with
predicators 7.5254
Complement clauses 7.55
Composition of verb stems 8.1
Compound noun stems 8.4244

Compound verb stems 8.3137

Compounds, prenoun 8.44; preverb
8.3337; stem 8.32, 8.43
Conditional clauses 7.59
Conjunct-order verbs 7.11, 7.4381;
changed 7.43; dubitative mode 7.77;
inflection for mode 7.7578; inflection
for negation 7.74; inflection for subject
and object 7.6272; inflection for tense
7.73; initial change in 7.80; neutral mode
7.75; preterit mode 7.76; preteritdubitative mode 7.78; subjunctive 7.59,
7.79; subordinating prefixes in 7.81; uses
of 7.4461; word diagram of 7.43
Conjunctions 1.10, 5.910
Connectives 3.5
Content questions 7.4548; equational 6.5;
with interrogative adverb and noun
phrase 6.11
Deferred imperative 7.12; inflection for
7.20
Delayed imperative 7.12; inflection for 7.20
Demonstrative pronouns 1.5, 4.10; charts
of 4.10; in equational sentence 6.2;
gender agreement of 3.4; with intensive
pronoun 4.5; in noun phrases 5.4;
number agreement of 3.5; obviative
agreement of 3.6
Denominal medials 8.12
Dependent nouns 3.10
Derivation 2.3, 8.1; primary 8.1; secondary
8.1, 8.41

119

Derivational affixes 2.3

Derivational suffixes 2.3
Derived stems 2.3
Desiderative prefixes in conjunct verbs
7.73; in independent verbs 7.37
Detransitivized verb stems 8.19
Diminutive action, verbs of 8.27
Diminutive nouns 3.12
Direct markers 7.30; with conjunct verbs
7.67, 7.71; with independent verbs 7.31,
7.35. See also direction markers
Direct object 7.23
Direction markers 7.8, 7.22, 7.30, 7.66;
direct 7.31, 7.35, 7.67, 7.71; inverse 7.32,
7.3536, 7.68, 7.7172; me-object 7.33,
7.69; you-object 7.34, 7.70
Directional preverbs 8.34
Double-object verbs 7.3
Dubitative adverbs 6.12, 7.51
Dubitative equational sentences 6.6
Dubitative mode 7.22; of conjunct verbs
7.77; of independent verbs 7.41
Dubitative pronouns 4.6; conjunct verbs
with 7.50; equational sentences with 6.6
Dubitative statements 7.4951
Endings, verb. See verb endings
Equational content questions 6.5
Equational sentences 6.16; negative 6.3
Equational yes/no questions 6.4
Exclusive plural 4.9
Finals 8.46, 8.14; in primary noun stems
8.40; in primary verb stems 8.47; in secondary noun stems 8.41; in secondary
verb stems 8.1430
First person 1.4, 4.9
First-person plural, exclusive 4.9;
inclusive 4.9
Focus word, conjunct verbs with 7.53;
verbless sentences with 6.1316
Future imperative 7.12; inflection for 7.20
Future prefixes in conjunct order 7.73; in
independent order 7.37
Gender, animate 3.4; inanimate 3.4; of
nouns 3.4; of verb finals 8.6; of verbs 7.4
Gender agreement of nouns and demonstratives 3.4; of verbs and nouns 3.4

120

General preverbs 8.36

Grammatical categories 2.2, 3.37
Head noun 5
Immediate imperative 7.12; 7.19;
inflection for 7.1417
Imperative-order verbs 7.1112; delayed
mode 7.12, 7.20; immediate mode 7.12,
7.19; inflection 7.1421; inflection for
mode 7.1821; modes 7.12; prohibitive
mode 7.12, 7.21; uses of 7.13; word
diagram of 7.13
Inanimate augment verbs 8.21
Inanimate gender 3.4
Inanimate intransitive verbs 7.4, 7.6;
inflection of conjunct 7.64; inflection of
independent 7.28
Inanimate subject with transitive
animate verbs 7.36, 7.72
Inclusive plural 4.9
Incorporation, noun 8.12
Indefinite pronouns 4.3
Indefinite subject 7.27; conjunct verbs
with 7.71; independent verbs with 7.35
Independent-order verbs 7.11, 7.22;
dubitative mode 7.22, 7.41; inflection for
subject and object 7.2636; inflection for
tense 7.37; neutral mode 7.2638; preterit
mode 7.22, 7.40; preterit-dubitative
mode 7.22, 7.42; uses of 7.2325; word
diagram of 7.22
Indicative mode. See neutral mode
Indirect object 7.23
Inflection 2.12; for person 2.2, 3.810; of
conjunct verbs 7.6281; of imperative
verbs 7.1421; of independent verbs
7.2642; of nouns 3.116
Inflectional affixes 2.12, 7.1, 8.1
Inflectional prefixes 8.1
Inflectional suffixes 8.1
Initial change 7.43, 7.73, 7.80
Initial in primary noun stems 8.40; in
primary verb stems 8.47; in secondary
noun stems 8.41; in secondary verb stems
8.14
Intensive pronouns 4.5, 6.1314
Interrogative adverbs 6.11, 7.47

INDEX

Interrogative pronouns 4.2, 7.46

Intransitive verbs 7.46
Inverse marker 7.30; with conjunct verbs
7.68, 7.7172; with independent verbs
7.32, 7.3536. See also direction markers
Kin terms 3.10
Locative clauses 7.58
Locative form 3.7
Making or processing, verbs of 8.29
Medials 8.712, 8.14; body-part 8.10;
classificatory 8.9; denominal 8.12; in secondary noun stems 8.41; in secondary
verb stems 8.14; various types of 8.11
Me-object marker 7.30; with conjunct
verbs 7.69; with independent verbs 7.33.
See also direction markers
Mode, delayed 7.12, 7.20; dubitative 7.22,
7.41, 7.77; immediate 7.12, 7.1419;
inflection for in conjunct verbs 7.7578;
inflection for in imperative verbs 7.12,
7.1821; inflection for in independent
verbs 7.22, 7.3942; neutral 7.22,
7.2638; preterit 7.22, 7.40, 7.76;
preterit-dubitative 7.22, 7.42, 7.78;
prohibitive 7.12, 7.21
Negative equational sentences 6.3
Negative of conjunct verbs 7.74; of imperative verbs 7.12, 7.21; of independent
verbs 7.38
Negative particles 6.3, 7.38
Negative suffixes in conjunct verbs 7.74; in
independent verbs 7.38
Neutral mode of independent verbs 7.22,
7.2638
Nominal pronouns 1.3, 4.18; alternative
4.4; dubitative 4.6; indefinite 4.3; intensive 4.5; interrogative 4.2; noun phrase
with 5.3; other 4.8; pausal 4.7
Nouns 1.1, 3; compound 8.4244; dependent 3.10; diminutive 3.12; gender of 3.4;
head, of noun phrase 5; inanimate obviative 3.6; incorporation of 8.12; inflection
of 3.116; locative form of 3.7; number

INDEX

of 3.5; obviative 3.6; pejorative 3.13; possessed 3.9; preterit 3.14; vocative 3.15;
word diagrams of 3.1, 3.16
Noun phrases 5; as possessors 5.7; components of 5.1; conjoined 5.911; with
focus word 6.1315; nouns in 5.2; particles in 5.5; pronouns in 5.34, 5.6; quantifiers in 5.5
Noun stems 3.1, 8.39; compound 8.4244;
primary 8.40; secondary 8.41
Number 3.5
Object 7.2, 7.26, 7.2936, 7.6272; direct
7.23; indirect 7.3; transitive animate
verbs with 7.8; transitive inanimate verbs
with 7.7
Obviation 3.6
Obviative plural 3.6
Obviative suffixes 3.6
Orders of verbs 7.11. See also conjunctorder verbs, imperative-order verbs,
independent-order verbs
Participles 7.43, 7.61
Particles 1.711; negative 6.3, 7.38; prohibitive 7.21; question 1.11, 6.4, 6.9, 6.15; in
verbless sentences 6.710
Parts of speech 1
Past prefixes in conjunct verbs 7.73; in
independent verbs 7.37
Pausal pronouns 4.7
Pejorative nouns 3.13
Person, first 1.4, 4.9; second 1.4, 4.9, third
1.4, 4.9
Personal prefixes in independent verbs
7.22; in nouns 3.9
Personal pronouns 1.4, 4.9; noun phrases
with 5.6
Personal suffixes 3.9; obviative 3.9; plural
3.9
Plural 3.5; first-person exclusive 4.9; firstperson inclusive 4.9; second-person 4.9;
third-person 4.9
Plural suffixes in nouns 3.5
Possessed nouns 3.9
Possession, verbs of 8.30
Possessive suffixes 3.9
Possessor 3.9; noun phrase as 5.7

121

Predicators 7.5254
Prefixes 2.1; inflectional 8.1; desiderative
7.37, 7.73; future 7.37, 7.73; personal 3.9,
7.22; subordinating 7.81; tense 7.22, 7.37,
7.73; verb 7.1
Prenoun compounds 8.44
Prenouns 8.1, 8.44
Present imperative 7.12
Pretending, verbs of 8.24
Preterit mode 7.22; of conjunct verbs 7.76;
of independent verbs 7.40
Preterit nouns 3.14
Preterit-dubitative mode 7.22; of conjunct
verbs 7.78; of independent verbs 7.42
Preverb compounds 8.31, 8.3337
Preverbs 8.1, 8.33; and roots 8.37; directional 8.34; general 8.36; relative 8.35;
with verb stems in compounds 8.33
Primary derivation 8.1
Primary noun stems 8.40
Primary stems 8.1
Primary verb stems 8.313; with one element 8.13; with three elements 8.712;
with two elements 8.46
Prohibitive imperative 7.12; inflection for
7.21
Prohibitive particles 7.21
Pronouns 1.2, 4; alternative 4.4;
demonstrative 1.5, 3.46, 4.5, 4.10, 5.4,
6.2; dubitative 4.6, 6.6, 7.50; indefinite
4.3; intensive 4.5, 6.1314; interrogative
4.2, 7.46; nominal 1.3, 4.18, 5.3; noun
phrase with 5.34, 5.6; pausal 4.7;
personal 1.4, 4.9, 5.6
Proximate third person 3.6
Purpose clauses 7.60
Quantifiers 1.8; noun phrase with 5.5
Question particle 1.11; in verbless yes/no
questions 6.4, 6.9, 6.15
Questions, content 6.5, 6.11, 7.4448;
yes/no 6.4, 6.9, 6.15, 6.16, 7.25
Reciprocal verbs 8.16
Reduplicated verbs 8.38

122

Reduplication 8.1, 8.38

Reflexive verbs 8.17
Regular imperative 7.12
Relational verbs 7.10
Relative clauses 5.8, 7.61
Relative preverbs 8.35
Relatives, naming of by means of dependent
nouns 3.10
Roots 8.46; and preverbs 8.37; and verb
stems 8.37; in noun stems 8.40
Second person 1.4, 4.9
Secondary derivation 8.1, 8.41
Secondary noun stems 8.41
Secondary stems 8.1
Secondary verb stems 8.1430
Singular 3.5
Stem compounds, noun 8.43; verb 8.32
Stems 2.1, 8; composition of 8.1; compound 8.1; derived 2.3; primary 8.1;
secondary 8.1. See also noun stems, verb
stems
Subject 7.2, 7.2636, 7.6272; inanimate
7.36, 7.72; indefinite 7.27, 7.35, 7.63,
7.71
Subjunctive 7.79; conditional clause with
7.59
Subordinating prefixes 7.81
Suffixes 2.1; basic 3.3; derivational 2.3;
inflectional 8.1; negative 7.22, 7.38, 7.74;
obviative noun 3.6; personal 3.9; plural
noun 3.5; possessive 3.9; preterit 3.14;
verb 7.1. See also class marker suffixes,
verb endings
Syncope 8.1
Tense prefixes 7.22; in conjunct verbs
7.73; in independent verbs 7.37
Theme signs 7.8. See also direction markers
Third person 1.4, 4.9
Transitive animate verbs 7.4, 7.8; direction
markers with 7.8, 7.30, 7.66; inflection of
conjunct 7.6672; inflection of imperative 7.17; inflection of independent
7.3036

INDEX

Transitive inanimate verbs 7.4, 7.7; class

markers with 7.7, 7.29; inflected as animate
intransitive verbs 7.9; inflection of conjunct 7.65; inflection of imperative 7.16;
inflection of independent 7.29
Transitive verbs 7.4, 7.78
Transitivity of verb final 8.6
Transitivized verb stems 8.18
Undergoing, verbs of 8.20
VAI 7.5
VAI+O 7.7, 7.29, 7.63
VAI2 7.9, 7.27
VII 7.6
VTA 7.8
VTI 7.7, 7.29
VTI2 7.7, 7.29
VTI3 7.29
Verb endings 7.1; in conjunct order 7.43;
in imperative order 7.1213; in independent order 7.22
Verb stems 7.1, 8.2; compound 8.3137;
detransitivized 8.19; primary 8.313; secondary 8.1430; transitivized 8.18
Verb suffixes. See verb endings
Verbless sentences 6; adverbs in 6.712;
equational 6.16; focus words in 6.1316;
particles in 6.710
Verbs 1.6, 7; animate intransitive 7.45;
classes of 7.4; compound 8.3137; conjunct
order 7.11, 7.4381; double-object 7.3;
gender agreement of 3.4; gender of 7.4;
imperative order 7.1121; in participial
form 7.43; inanimate augment 8.21; inanimate intransitive 7.4, 7.6; independent

INDEX

order 7.2242; inflection of conjunct

7.6281; inflection of imperative
7.1421; inflection of independent
7.2642; intransitive 7.46; modes of
conjunct 7.7578; modes of imperative
7.12, 7.1821; modes of independent
7.22, 7.3942; negative 7.12, 7.21, 7.38,
7.74; number agreement of 3.5; obviative
agreement of 3.6; orders of 7.11; reciprocal 8.16; reduplicated 8.38; reflexive 8.17;
relational 7.10; subjunctive 7.79; tense
prefixes of 7.22; transitive 7.4, 7.78;
transitive animate 7.4, 7.8; transitive inanimate 7.4, 7.7; uses of conjunct 7.4461;
uses of imperative 7.13; uses of independent 7.2325; word diagram of 7.1
Verbs of abundance 8.28
Verbs of addiction 8.23
Verbs of being 8.26
Verbs of diminutive action 8.27
Verbs of making or processing 8.29
Verbs of possession 8.30
Verbs of pretending 8.24
Verbs of undergoing 8.20
Vocative nouns 3.15
Word parts 2.1, 8.1
Word stems 2.1, 8.1
Words, classes of 1
Yes/no questions 6.4, 6.9. 6.15, 6.16, 7.25
You-object marker 7.30; with conjunct
verbs 7.70; with independent verbs 7.34.
See also direction markers

123

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Ministry of Education wishes to acknowledge the contributions of the

individuals who participated in the development, writing, and/or validation
of this resource guide. The affiliations given are those that applied at the time
of participation.
Keith Lickers (project manager)
Ministry of Education
John Nichols (writer/linguist)
Department of Native Studies
University of Manitoba
Catherine Price (writer/editor)
Ministry of Education

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Printed on recycled paper

ISBN 0-7794-3384-X
01-073
Queens Printer for Ontario, 2002